India’s top virology institute has developed a low-cost, portable diagnostic kit for the Nipah virus that promises 100% accuracy, marking a major milestone in the country’s epidemic preparedness. The innovation, unveiled by the Indian Council of Medical Research–National Institute of Virology (ICMR-NIV) in Pune, is priced at just ₹250 and can detect the virus within 1 to 2 hours, even in remote field settings with no access to laboratories.
The test uses Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) technology, a method that amplifies viral genetic material without the need for specialized RT-PCR machines. It is designed to be deployed in districts like Malappuram and Kozhikode in Kerala, which have seen repeated Nipah outbreaks with mortality rates approaching 50%.
A Major Public Health Innovation
According to Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of ICMR-NIV, the LAMP-based test has achieved 100% sensitivity and specificity in field validation. “It enables accurate Nipah detection without the need for cold chains or complex instruments. This is crucial for containing outbreaks quickly at the source,” he said.
The kit is expected to be a frontline diagnostic tool during health emergencies, particularly in areas where hospital access is limited and testing delays could be fatal. It fills a critical gap in India’s ability to identify and isolate infections during the early, often silent phase of viral spread.
Scaling Detection, Accelerating Response
While India has previously relied on centralised laboratories for Nipah detection, this new kit decentralizes testing, enabling real-time diagnosis in villages and high-risk zones. Public health experts say the kit could be deployed alongside contact tracing and quarantine efforts in the event of future outbreaks.
The development comes amid broader efforts to strengthen India’s infectious disease arsenal. The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) and Zydus Lifesciences are collaborating on monoclonal antibody therapies for Nipah, while the government is also pursuing development of an indigenous vaccine candidate.
Strategic Importance in Containing Zoonotic Threats
Nipah virus, a deadly zoonotic pathogen transmitted from bats to humans, has no licensed vaccine or treatment. The virus can cause severe encephalitis and respiratory distress and has been classified by the WHO as a pathogen with pandemic potential. India has faced multiple outbreaks since 2001, most notably in Kerala, making rapid response tools like this LAMP kit not only timely but essential.
“This is a remarkable public health achievement,” said an official from the Ministry of Health. “It not only strengthens our domestic capacity but positions India as a leader in the fight against emerging zoonotic diseases.”
