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India Develops 100% Accurate Rapid Detection Kit for Deadly Nipah Virus: ICMR-NIV Director

The kit, which delivers results within just 1–2 hours, has been developed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune—India's only laboratory that cultures the Nipah virus.

• By Newsdesk
• Pune
• Jun 24, 2025

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In a significant breakthrough for public health, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has unveiled a portable, indigenous rapid test kit capable of detecting the deadly Nipah virus with 100% accuracy. The kit, which delivers results within just 1–2 hours, has been developed by the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune—India's only laboratory that cultures the Nipah virus.

Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of ICMR-NIV, confirmed the kit's high sensitivity and specificity. “The test is based on amplification of the viral gene using a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay, which eliminates the need for specialized machines at the field level,” he explained. “It’s designed for use in outbreak settings and remote areas where access to advanced laboratory infrastructure is limited.”

The testing kit is not only fast and reliable but also highly affordable, priced at just ₹250 per test. Its development marks a crucial advancement in India’s preparedness against the Nipah virus, a zoonotic pathogen primarily transmitted through fruit bats, with a mortality rate as high as 50%. Human-to-human transmission and infections via contaminated food have also been reported, making early detection and isolation critical for outbreak control.

Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic cases to severe respiratory illness and fatal encephalitis. Common symptoms include fever, muscle pain, sore throat, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, and in severe cases, altered consciousness and atypical pneumonia.

India has faced multiple outbreaks of Nipah Virus Disease (NiVD), with Kerala being the most affected state. The most recent outbreak occurred in 2023 in the Kozhikode district, prompting renewed urgency for rapid diagnostic tools and preventive strategies.

In parallel, ICMR is working with Zydus Health Sciences, Ahmedabad, and the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, to develop monoclonal antibodies as a potential therapeutic solution. Additionally, efforts are underway to create an indigenous vaccine to protect against future outbreaks.

The new detection kit and ongoing research into treatments and vaccines reflect India’s growing capability in handling emerging infectious diseases with homegrown solutions.