7 months ago
Kolkata Zoo Bats Tested for Nipah Virus
Scientists are testing bats in a zoo in Kolkata, India, to see if they have the Nipah virus.
This is because two nurses got sick with the virus.
The scientists took small samples from the bats and will check them to see if the bats are safe.
The virus can spread from bats to people if they touch or eat things that the bats have touched.
It can make people very sick, with symptoms like fever, headache, and sometimes even brain swelling.
People should wash their hands often, avoid touching bats, and not eat raw date palm sap or fruits that bats have bitten to stay safe.
It will take a few more days to know the results of the bat tests.
Bats at Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata are being tested for Nipah virus using RT-PCR tests.
Samples were collected by NIMR in collaboration with NIV, ICMR, and state health and forest departments.
Two nurses in West Bengal have been diagnosed with Nipah virus and are currently undergoing treatment.
The virus can spread through close contact with infected persons or animals, or contaminated food/drinks.
Early symptoms include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, and difficulty breathing, while severe cases can lead to brain swelling and coma.
- Who
- National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), State Health Department, State Forest Department
- What
- Testing bats for Nipah virus and explaining symptoms and transmission
- Where
- Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata, and other areas in West Bengal
- When
- Samples collected on Thursday and Friday mornings; results pending
- Why
- To trace the source of Nipah virus following the detection of two cases in West Bengal
Key facts
- Location
- Alipore Zoological Garden, Kolkata
- Testing Method
- RT-PCR tests
- Organizations Involved
- NIMR, NIV, ICMR, State Health Department, State Forest Department
- Affected Individuals
- Two nurses
- Current Status
- Undergoing treatment
- Incubation Period
- 4 to 14 days (up to 45 days reported)
- Natural Host
- Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family
- Transmission
- Close contact with infected persons or animals, contaminated food/drinks
Quotes
Sandeep Sundriyal
State Chief Wildlife Warden
“Catching bats require prior permission from the Forest department. The Health department sought approval, which we granted”
telegraphindia.com
“Expert teams are visiting areas where bats are present across the state and collecting samples. The same process was followed at Alipore Zoo”
telegraphindia.com
Tripti Sah
Alipore Zoo Director
“The team collected swab samples from bats and left. They have followed all the protocols during the process”
telegraphindia.com
Health department source
Senior official of the state Health department
“Whether the bats at Alipore Zoo are completely safe will be known after the test reports arrive”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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