Kozhikode: The Nipah scare has become prevalent in Kerala, especially in the Kozhikode district. However, the testing procedures for confirming the presence of the deadly virus are often delayed, raising further concerns. It’s quite baffling that despite several private hospitals in the state possessing high-end labs for confirming the presence of Nipah virus, none of them have been given the permission to conduct such tests so far. It should be noted that these labs are actually capable of producing Nipah results within two and a half hours of testing.        

In the current scenario, even if the doctor grows suspicious of the symptoms of the patient, he can’t immediately get the patient tested for Nipah in the hospital. At first, the District Medical Officer (DMO) shall approve the testing. Following this, the medical form for conducting the test should be filled. Post this procedure, the sample shall be carefully transported to the Medical College hospital following all the medical protocols. However, despite having the facility to ascertain the presence of the deadly virus, the Medical College authorities wait for the confirmation from the Pune Virology Institute (NIV). The institute is officially authorised to announce the results.

In effect, a result which can actually be obtained within two and a half hours gets delayed by almost two days. By this time, the patient’s contact list will increase considerably, creating widespread panic. 

Decision rests with ICMR

Currently, tests for confirming the presence of deadly viruses including Nipah and Ebola are conducted adhering to the central guidelines. ICMR has the authority to simplify these processes and in turn cut down on the delayed testing menace.

Experts stress on the importance of quick testing in such cases, which is crucial for minimising the contact list of the affected individuals. With recurring cycles of Nipah in Kerala, the health department had instructed medical professionals to prescribe Nipah test incase of fevers of unknown origins. 

But the entire testing procedure for Nipah is quite tedious as of now. Nipah is deadlier than Covid when it comes to mortality rates. Doctors are increasingly demanding for simplifying the procedures related to Nipah tests, so as to reduce the hesitancy towards such tests among the public.