The work on a biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory is progressing at a slow pace at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. The authorities are hopeful that it will be completed by the year-end.

The proposal to upgrade the existing BSL-2 Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory under the State government to a regional-level lab was made after the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode in 2018. As the regional lab should have BSL-3 standards, it was proposed to enhance the existing system there. According to sources, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) allocated ₹5.5 crore for the project in 2019. The estimate was later revised to ₹8 crore. The official process for the purpose was halted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The work began only in November 2021.

Research on low-risk microbes is carried out at a BSL-1 lab and infectious organisms affecting humans can be dealt with at a BSL-2 lab. Indigenous or exotic microbes are handled at a BSL-3 lab, while deadly organisms require a BSL-4 lab.

The sources said that the work is undertaken by the Central Public Works department. One of the reasons for the delay was a dispute between the contractor and the department, following which another contractor was assigned the work. It is learnt that the equipment for the lab is being purchased through Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. A senior hospital official said on Tuesday (June 3) that the work could be completed by the end of this year, provided there were no further obstacles.

At present, the body fluid samples of patients suspected to be suffering from highly infectious diseases such as Nipah are being sent to the National Institute of Virology, Pune, for confirmation tests. Once the lab is fully functional after getting the approval from the ICMR, such tests can be done here. Health Minister Veena George had said in the Assembly last year that the lab would become fully functional by 2027.