Alappuzha: The National Institute of Virology unit being set up at Vandanam here would be operational within two years. The unit, which is currently functioning in a temporary building in Alappuzha, would expand its diagnosis profile to cover more viral diseases in the region once it becomes operational. This was stated by Dr. D. T. Mourya, director, NIV, Pune, in an email interaction with Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.
He said that its importance will not be reduced by the establishment of the Institute of Advanced Virology on the campus of KSIDC Life Science Park at Thonnakkal in Thiruvananthapuram district. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had recently announced the plan for the IAV and released the base document for a detailed project report.
The IAV will address the frequent outbreak of infectious viral diseases, their early detection and prevention besides carrying out research. The state government had sought an NIV unit in 2008 in the wake of rising epidemics and the lack of advanced facilities to test samples.
At present, the institute has 20 staff members and sophisticated equipment. Only lab tests for viral fever, dengue and chikungunya are conducted here, but the staff shortage has affected the tests delaying treatment. In 2015, the central government had approved Rs 34.5 crore for the expansion of the institute. Dr Mourya also pointed out that the state government had not ignored the NIV as there was need to set up more such virology laboratories.
The Kerala Biotechnology Commission (KBC) and Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) have been entrusted with the establishment of the IAV. Mr G.M. Nair, advisor, KBC, KSCSTE said that the IAV will maintain global standards with modern laboratories for research, diagnosis and management of the emerging and re-emerging infectious viral diseases.
