Bats at Kolkata’s Alipore Zoo are being tested for Nipah virus. A team from the National Institute of Medical Research collected blood and swab samples over two days, January 22 and 23, before the zoo opened to visitors. "The team collected swab samples from bats. They have followed all the protocols during the process," said Tripti Sah, the zoo’s director. The testing is part of efforts after two health workers in Barasat, North 24 Parganas, tested positive for Nipah virus earlier this month. Samples are also being collected from bats across West Bengal, including Madhyamgram, Barasat, and Basirhat. Alipore Zoo is the only place in Kolkata with a bat enclosure, so it is included in the testing drive. The work is joint by the National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, under the Health Department’s guidance with support from the Forest Department. West Bengal’s Chief Wildlife Warden, Sandeep Sundriyal, confirmed all procedures were properly followed, saying, "Catching bats require prior permission from the Forest Department. The Health Department sought approval, which we granted." He assured the public that precautionary steps are in place and there is no need to panic. Health officials expect test results soon. A health department source said, "Whether the bats at Alipore Zoo are completely safe will be known after the test reports arrive." Meanwhile, the expert team will visit Nadia district to collect more bat samples as part of ongoing Nipah surveillance in the state.