Punjab Biotechnology Incubator Starts Water Testing for Virological Contamination

Chandigarh, September 6:

Punjab Biotechnology Incubator (PBTI) has started water testing for virological contamination, in a bid to provide clean drinking water to the residents of the state.

The move comes in the wake of the monsoon season, when waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and diarrhea are commonly reported. Over the past few years, waterborne diseases due to viral pathogens such as hepatitis A and E have increased in Punjab.

PBTI is a multi-sectoral hi-end analytical facility under the Department of Science, Technology and Environment, Government of Punjab. It is the first NABL accredited facility in Punjab to provide services for virus screening (MS2 phages) in drinking water.

Punjab Biotechnology Incubator (PBTI), a NABL accredited facility, has started water testing for virological contamination in a bid to ensure the safety of drinking water for the residents of the state. The testing is done using a state-of-the-art molecular biology laboratory at PBTI and the results are available within 24 hours. This will help the concerned departments to take timely action to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, and diarrhea.

The monsoon season is a time when waterborne diseases are commonly reported. Over the past few years, waterborne diseases due to viral pathogens such as hepatitis A and E have increased in Punjab. Hepatitis A is the most common cause of acute hepatitis in children below the age of 5 years and hepatitis E is the cause of high mortality in pregnant women.

The launch of this service is a major step by the Punjab government to ensure the safety of drinking water for its citizens. It is also a significant contribution to the state’s efforts to improve public health.

MS2 phages are a type of virus that can be used as an indicator for virological contamination in water. The presence of MS2 phages in drinking water suggests that the water may be contaminated with other viruses, such as those that cause hepatitis A and E.

The concerned departments of Punjab can now utilize the virus testing services of PBTI at their doorstep. The testing is done using a state-of-the-art molecular biology laboratory at PBTI.

The results of the testing are available within 24 hours. This will help the concerned departments to take timely action to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases.

The launch of this service is a major step by the Punjab government to ensure the safety of drinking water for its citizens. It is also a significant contribution to the state’s efforts to improve public health.