In a major step forward for animal health and zoonotic disease management in Maharashtra, two advanced biosafety laboratories—BSL-3 and BSL-2—will become operational in Pune next month. These facilities will be part of the Bharatratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Western Region Disease Diagnosis Laboratory, the only state-level institute in Maharashtra dedicated to animal disease testing since 1947.

The new lab facilities have been funded by the central government and will be ready next month. Spanning over 51,000 square feet, the labs will house cutting-edge equipment including RT-PCR machines, gene sequencers, and modern blood testing systems, enabling fast and accurate disease diagnosis. 

These labs will serve multiple regions, including Maharashtra, Goa, Diu-Daman, Dadra-Nagar Haveli, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Chhattisgarh.

Currently, the facility operates with basic BSL-1 and partial BSL-2 capabilities. Due to limited biosafety infrastructure, samples for dangerous diseases such as bird flu (avian influenza), anthrax, rabies, and brucellosis must be sent to national labs in Bhopal, Bengaluru, or Bareilly—delaying diagnosis and timely intervention. These delays often lead to significant financial losses for farmers and livestock owners.

A senior veterinary official emphasized that nearly 70% of human diseases originate from animals, making quick diagnosis vital for both public health and outbreak control.

“These new labs will not only improve our ability to diagnose diseases faster but also play a crucial role in preventing outbreaks and safeguarding human health,” the official added.