PUDUCHERRY: The Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) is now fully prepared to tackle Zika virus through molecular detection of viral RNA in addition the apex centers National Institute of Virology(NIV), Pune, National center for disease control (NCDC) Delhi.
According to a Jipmer release here today, samples from all suspected cases of Zika virus can be sent to the Microbiology Department, JIPMER and detection of viral RNA will be done using reverse transcriptase PCR(RT-PCR).
According to Dr.Subhash Chandra Parija Director, JIPMER ,the faculty from virology section, Microbiology department is one among from the 10 institutes all over India to have acquired training in RT-PCR for Zika virus detection conducted by National Institute of Virology (NIV ) Pune.
Zika virus, transmitted by Aedes mosquito, which is also vector for dengue has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by World Health Organization.