Mumbai: The first Infectious Disease Research Laboratory in Maharashtra will be in Sindhudurg district, State Health Minister Deepak Sawant said on Thursday. “In the Infectious Research Laboratory, four departments, such as microbiology, bacteriological department, blood sample study department and molecular division, are going to be created. The lab will work on 13 types of diseases and keep a detailed record of it,” Mr. Sawant said.
He also also instructed officials to complete the generator facility and the pending work of the second floor which will enable the lab to get uninterrupted power supply. The lab will have very low temperature storage facilities for the preservation purpose. It requires continued power supply.
Sindhudurg district is currently affected by the Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), commonly known as monkey fever. This year, the KFD infection has claimed more lives than the previous year. Mr. Sawant said, “There should be proper coordination over KFD as the infection spreads through monkey. A repellent oil is also being made available to people so that they can avoid tick bites.”
