Overview
- NIMR teams collected blood and swab samples from bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo on Thursday and Friday during early morning operations before visitor hours.
- The samples were sent for RT-PCR analysis by NIV and ICMR under the state health department, with logistical support from the forest department.
- State officials said test reports are expected in the coming days to confirm whether the zoo’s bats are free of infection.
- Bat surveillance has covered Madhyamgram, Barasat and Basirhat, and an expert team is scheduled to collect samples in Nadia on Saturday.
- Forest authorities confirmed granting the required permission for bat capture, and zoo and wildlife officials urged precautions without panic.