NIV builds hi-tech virus lab

The laboratory at NIV’s microbial containment complex at Pashan will be fully functional by November and highly infectious pathogenic agents of diseases like ebola anthrax,lassa,haemorrhagic fever and smallpox (variola virus) will be stored in a facility akin to a heavily guarded bank vault to conduct tests.

For the safety of those using the lab,12 bio-safety suits resembling space suits,with a dedicated oxygen line,have been imported from Italy. Seven NIV scientists have returned from a vigorous training in the US on how to operate a BSL-4 lab.

NIV director,Dr A C Mishra,in an exclusive interview to The Indian Express,said that a series of filters have been prepared to ensure that highly infectious agents remain contained in the laboratory.

Biosafety levels measure the level of containment precautions required to isolate dangerous biological agents in an enclosed facility. The levels of containment range from the lowest, BSL-1,to the highest,BSL-4. “This laboratory will not just be the first in the country but the only one in entire South East Asia,” says Mishra.

It is extremely critical to protect our staff from these viruses and hence we have imported suits to work in the specialised set-up,says Mishra. The project was sanctioned at a cost of Rs 50 crore four years ago and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has now set up a special cadre of engineers for managing the containment facility.

The core group of engineers will be based in Pune and will train other engineers at the eight-nine BSL-3 labs in the country.

“Virologists are always the first responders in case of any outbreak. Viruses can be used as a bio-terrorism agent and the BSL-4 laboratory has been designed in such a way that it can detect the virus and counter any bio-terror attack,” says Mishra. This level is required for working with such dangerous agents and hence the lab has impermeable walls,various filters to check exit and entry points. Safety precautions include thorough checking and purification of even the air and water discharged from the laboratory. The laboratory premises will be protected by an electrical fencing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is creating a network of laboratories for detection of high-risk agents and NIV is one chosen for smallpox,says Mishra.

A group of BSL-4 laboratory users around the world will gather in Pune next year while certification is expected soon this year.