New Delhi: The world is on the brink of an influenza epidemic. How prepared is India?
NDTV trailed the real virus hunters of India into their world-class lab to get a grip on the country's preparedness.
Deceptively beautiful, this is the dreaded influenza virus. NDTV was given rare access into the main facility where the flu virus is tested. So potent is the virus that you have to wear special protective clothing and work in special conditions.
It is too hazardous to go inside the main testing lab where highly trained Indian scientists are keeping a vigil on the samples that come in.
"We are completely ready and we can detect anything and everything," said Dr Shashi Khare, in-charge, Virus Testing Lab, NICD.
Samples are tested at the virus testing lab and the results are out in 24 to 48 hours.
As the world is on the brink of an influenza epidemic, at NICD there is lot of nervous energy but also preparedness.