HYDERABAD: The city's wait for a virology laboratory of its own, the absence of which has been emphasised during the recent chikungunya epidemic, seems destined to continue for a couple of years.

Though work on an advanced virology lab has begun on the premises of Fever Hospital at Nallakunta, the extremely sophisticated nature of the facility means it will take at least two years to become functional.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had laid the foundation stone for the lab in August last. The non-existence of such a lab has seen the authorities repeatedly scampering to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune to confirm viral attacks.

Advanced virology lab

This happened in March last during the hepatitis outbreak and now the chikungunya episode.

A proposal for an advanced virology lab had been pending with the Government all the while for over two years. After Dr. Reddy had given the green signal, hopes have been on a high for a full-fledged laboratory that can diagnose a wide range of viral diseases along with a research centre and micro-bacteriological lab, according to Fever Hospital Superintendent P.P. Prasad.

Mere dependence on NIV, the only centre in the country that can confirm the chikungunya virus, could always have pitfalls, Dr. Prasad says. "The institute gets samples from across India and in that scenario, 100 per cent accuracy can be difficult," he says.

Aiming for the best

"So, it is always better to have our own lab. Our aim is at making the upcoming lab the best in the

country," he says.

The lab will be of great significance to the State as most new diseases reported here are viral in origin — be it chikungunya, avian influenza (bird flu), severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) or even jaundice.

The lab's rapid diagnostics systems will enable reports within 48 hours while the research centre and micro-bacteriological lab will help in studies on the new diseases.

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