Nagpur college returns samples, asks the department of forests to approach authorised laboratory
On Tuesday, the Nagpur Veterinary College (NVC) sent back swab samples from a three-month tiger cube suspected of Covid-19 without checking them.
NVC has recommended that the forest department approach institutes licensed by the Indian Animal Test Centre. “We realized that conducting the Covid-19 test for the wild animal is ethically incorrect since we do not have the Centre’s approval. In these situations, the samples must be sent to the nearest authorized College, and this has been conveyed to the Forest Department, “said Dr. AP Somkuwar, Associate Dean, NVC.
The college aims to receive permission from the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) to be listed as an accredited center for further animal testing at Maharashtra.
On Monday, HT confirmed that swab samples of the female cub, rescued from paddy fields in Chandrapur district’s Mul taluka, were collected by the forest department on April 28 following concerns about inadequate protective equipment during the cub’s rescue and initial ill-health. Samples were sent to NVC after it was reported that the cub might be the first instance of a wild animal contracting the virus in Maharashtra. Tuesday was expected to see test results.
The cub is currently being held at a Chandrapur transit treatment center, and is stable, officials said.
Last-minute NVC decision left the department of forests in a lurch. “If that was the case, we might have been told by the college much earlier. It is hard to get permits and international transport during the lockout. But the process will start immediately, “Chandrapur, divisional forest officer (territorial) AL Sonkusare said.
SV Ramarao, chief forest conservator, Chandrapur said, “The final decision will be taken by the chief wildlife warden as he is the nodal authority.” Three animal institutes were approved by the Center for Covid-19 Animal Testing — National Institute of High-Security Animal Diseases, B, after the first confirmed case of a positive tiger test for Covid-19 in New York on April 5.
Nitin Kakodkar, chief forest conservator (wildlife), Maharashtra said, “Following decision by NVC. We decided to send the swab samples to Bhopal, the National Institute for Animal Diseases of High Security.
We are working on interstate transport permits. Once all approvals are in place they can submit the samples. While the cub must live in Chandrapur’s transit treatment center and plans to run her with her mother will be put on hold until the results are obtained.
