Nipah Virus Source Hunt: Pune Virology Team Surveys Bats Near Kolkata Airport

• A team from Pune's National Institute of Virology (NIV) is surveying bats near Kolkata Airport to find the source of the Nipah virus.
• Nets were set up on trees to catch bats, and samples are being collected for RT-PCR testing.
• Previously, 9 bats caught in Kolkata tested negative for the Nipah virus, though one showed antibodies indicating past infection.
• The young nurse undergoing treatment at Barasat hospital for suspected Nipah is improving and may be discharged soon.
• All contacts of the two nurses tested negative for Nipah, providing some relief amidst the scare.

Why It Matters: NIV team is actively surveying bats near Kolkata Airport to trace Nipah virus origin, with initial tests negative.