The ICMR has advised the States to conduct sero-survey to measure coronavirus exposure in the population using IgG ELISA Test. The sero-surveys help to understand the proportion of population exposed to the virus infection including asymptomatic individuals.
Depending upon the level of sero-prevalence of infection, appropriate public health interventions can be planned and implemented for prevention and control of the disease. Periodic sero-surveys are useful to guide the policy makers, said the ICMR in a statement here.
IgG antibodies generally start appearing after two weeks of onset of infection, once the individual has recovered after infection and last for several months. Therefore, while the IgG test is not useful for detecting acute infection, it indicates episode of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the past. .
In an attempt to decide the future course of action against the pandemic, ICMR has already shared a detailed plan to all the States to measure coronavirus exposure in general population as well as in high risk populations.
This sero-survey will guide appropriate public health intervention. The ICMR has provided an indicative list of different groups to be tested with states depending upon the requirement and situation in that particular area.
To increase availability of the IgG ELISA test, ICMR has transferred this technology to many pharma companies viz. Zydus Cadila, J Mitra & Company, Meril Diagnostics, Voxtur Bio, Trivitron Healthcare, Karwah Enterprises, Avecon Healthcare, etc.
The technology has been transferred to various entities without exclusivity clause and therefore can be further shared with others as per demand and capability. IgG ELISA tests from other USFDA/CE-IVD/indigenous sources are also available.
