Nitish for Virology lab in Bihar

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre to set up a virology laboratory in the state for ensuring quick test of swine-flu samples in the wake of nation-wide panic over the disease.

"The Centre must set up a virology lab in Bihar in the wake of panic over the disease," Kumar said here.

Kumar said he would speak to Union Health and Family Welfare minister Ghulam Nabi Azad for approving the state's proposal for the lab.

Swine flu alert has already been sounded in Bihar, Kumar said, adding there was no no cause for panic.

A Central team had already visited Bihar to review the state's preparedness to tackle the disease.

The state Health department had launched an awareness campaign and mass contact drive to educate people about the swine flu.

A team of health officials were camping at Saraiya block in Bihar's Muzaffarpur district where it was suspected that a labourer Suraj Prakash, who returned home from Pune, was afflicted by the disease, sources said, adding if required, Prakash would be brought to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital for check up and treatment.link