With the H1N1 outbreak in Mumbai abating considerably, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now getting ready to face a second wave in case one arises. The civic body is upgrading its Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory at Kasturba Hospital for testing H1N1 samples, as part of its preparedness to combat any fresh outbreak. The lab will start swine flu tests from October.

The lab, equipped with a PCR machine to test samples from BMC hospitals to confirm leptospirosis and other monsoon-related diseases, will soon have a real-time RT-PCR machine for testing suspected H1N1 samples and will comply with safety measures prescribed in the CDC and WHO guidelines.

“A team of technical experts from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune reviewed the lab and gave a list of equipment to be added. We are procuring the machine and the lab will be functional by October. NIV will endorse the PCR machine and provide reagents. The first 50 samples will be sent simultaneously to both NIV and Kasturba lab for accuracy,” said Manisha Mhaiskar, additional municipal commissioner, BMC.

“We have given them technical guidance and will give them reagents. They have told us that they will meet level-II bio-safety measures,” said Dr A C Mishra, director, NIV.

During the H1N1 spread, the civic authorities had faced several bottlenecks in examination of throat samples sent to NIV, Pune, and Haffkine Institute, Mumbai, for tests to confirm swine flu and the civic authorities were eager to start the facility in its own lab.

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