11 hours ago
NIHSAD to be upgraded to BSL-4 lab for testing deadly pathogens
Bhopal: The ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal will upgrade its facilities to Biosafety Level-4 (BSL-4), the highest level of biocontainment, to bolster the country's preparedness against deadly pathogens such as
Nipah virus
, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and novel arenaviruses.
The announcement was made by institute director Dr Aniket Sanyal during NIHSAD's 25th foundation day celebrations on Monday.
The laboratory has processed over 13 lakh samples from domestic livestock and poultry. The upgrade to BSL-4 status will require significant infrastructure improvements to ensure safe handling of extremely dangerous and exotic pathogens, particularly those that pose severe risks to humans and animals and lack available vaccines or treatments.
Currently operating at BSL-3+ level, NIHSAD handles serious zoonotic diseases including avian influenza and African swine fever. The proposed BSL-4 status represents the highest level of biosafety protocols, necessary for managing lethal threats such as Nipah virus, CCHF, and novel arenaviruses.
Dr B Patnaik, who established the National Institute of Food & Mouth Diseases (NIFMD) BSL-4 Laboratory in Bhubaneswar and serves as a Biosafety Expert, delivered insights on the technical considerations and forthcoming challenges in diagnosing Exotic diseases within BSL-4 facilities.
Situated on the outskirts of Bhopal, the institute has served as a crucial facility for safeguarding animal and human health across India for 25 years, operating behind sophisticated biosafety barriers and advanced equipment.
During the 25th foundation day celebration, Dr Sanyal presented the institute's scientific achievements. Chief guest Prof (Dr) Col AK Gahlot, former Vice Chancellor of RAJUVAS, Bikaner, stressed the importance of establishing a BSL-4 laboratory, considering global disease developments.
Dr SC Dubey, former joint director of HSADL, IVRI, delivered the silver jubilee address at the event.
