Nipah Virus Alert: Bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo Undergo Testing as Authorities Step Up Surveillance
Amid growing concerns over Nipah virus in West Bengal, health authorities have begun testing bats at the Alipore Zoological Garden in south Kolkata to determine whether they could be carriers of the deadly virus.
The National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has initiated random RT-PCR tests on the zoo’s bat population. A specialised team visited the zoo early on Thursday and Friday mornings, collecting blood and swab samples before dawn and leaving well before the zoo opened to visitors.
Officials said bat testing is a crucial step in tracing the source of the virus, as bats are known natural reservoirs of Nipah. In recent weeks, similar tests were conducted in areas such as Madhyamgram, Barasat, and Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district. Within Kolkata, Alipore Zoo is the only location known to have a sizeable bat population.
To reassure the public and strengthen monitoring, the collected samples have been sent for RT-PCR testing. The testing is being carried out jointly by the National Institute of Virology (NIV) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in coordination with the state health department. The forest department is also supporting the operation.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Sandeep Sundriyal confirmed that special permission is required to capture bats. He said the forest department approved the request made by the health authorities to facilitate sample collection.
The expert team is continuing its surveillance across different parts of the state where bats are commonly found. Zoo officials have also implemented precautionary measures to ensure public safety. Authorities noted that the sampling was completed before 9 am, when the zoo opens to visitors.
Officials said it may take a few days for test results to confirm whether the bats at Alipore Zoo pose any risk. On Saturday, the team is scheduled to travel to Nadia district to collect samples from bats there as well.
The intensified surveillance follows the detection of two confirmed Nipah virus cases in West Bengal earlier this month. Both patients are nurses, and the cases were identified at the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at ICMR–AIIMS Kalyani. The two are currently receiving treatment at a private hospital.
News Source : Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
