Tuesday 22 May 2012 Government 2.0: The Road Ahead
DRDO develops swine flu detection kit

It is a single-tube method as compared to WHO approved real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test system

New Delhi: A premier defence laboratory has developed a swine flu detection kit and the process for transferring the technology for commercialisation has also been initiated

"The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a rapid and cost-effective swine flu virus specific isothermal gene amplification assay for reliable and early clinical diagnosis of H1N1 in human patients," Defence Minister AK Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

It is a single-tube method and cost-effective as compared to WHO approved Centre for Disease Control (CDC) recommended real-time Reverse Transcriptase (RT) Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test system, the Minister said.

"The assay is based on the principle of the isothermal gene amplification protocol. No expensive real-time PCR equipment is required as the result can be monitored by the naked eye," Antony added.

The DRDO developed method gives results in an hour as compared to the three-four hours required for the WHO-approved CDC-recommended kit, reports IANS.

The DRDO kit has been validated at the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi; Post Graduate Institute, Chandigarh and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore.

"The process for transfer of technology for commercialisation has also been initiated," Antony said.

Swine flu has so far claimed over 550 lives and affected over 16,500 people in India.

We have to congratulate the DRDO.

At the same time we should try to understand that H1N1 novel strain is a process in the biology of the virus which would change very frequently. However, major change would take place in 2 - 4 decade time. Now with the pandemic being over, it would remain in the population as seasonal flu.

While I appriciate the capability of the country, most important that the country should learn a lesson in this terroristic world is that these could be used as a terror and we require vigilence. See for example, preparation for this change in US started as early as 2006. They were prepared fpr this change. We do not have a surveillance system in place as on today for influenza which is nothing but FLU. Tell me who has not suffered from flu in their life time? Media hyped the situation to cause pannic. But the positives declared in the country have not answered simple epidemiological questions. So is the diagnosis correct? Is PCR the right choice?

These will never be answered!

We have to learn lessons from 1994 Plague, The current influenza, SARS, Bird flu, etc.

The entire scientific community should come forward to talk truth. Join hands to strengthen our Government to face these sorts of outbreaks.

But my comment is not to down play the excellent work of DRDO which has shown our capability. Congratulations once again.

Jai hind.

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