THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state capital is all set to have an advanced virology institute by January. The deadly outbreak of Nipah virus in Kozhikode has literally fast-tracked the setting up of an institute in the state capital to improve preparedness and response to infective diseases which pose a threat to human lives.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the other day, convened a meeting of senior officials to review the progress of the construction of the Advanced Virology Institute at the Life Sciences Park, Thonnakkal, in Thiruvananthapuram.
According to health experts, out of the 200 zoonotic diseases which are transmitted to human beings across the world, more than a dozen different types of zoonotic diseases are actively prevalent in Kerala due to various reasons, including unscientifically slaughtering.
With new diseases like Nipah, Kysanur Forest disease (monkey fever) and Kala Azar being added to this list with every passing year, checking and improving preparedness and response to infectious diseases posing a threat to public health has turned out to be highly imperative.
The institute which is expected to start functioning from January 2019, will have Biosafety level 3 laboratory and labs with BSL-2 facilities.
The facilities at the institute, under the Kerala Biotechnology Commission, will help the state government identify and study viruses and viral infections with the high-end research in the proposed virology institute, said officials.
The meeting held by the Chief Minister reviewed the construction work of the pre-fabricated building for the first phase of the project. While the main building block with 78,000 sqft area would be completed by July, the entire project is expected to be completed by January 2019, said a release from the state.
The institute will have eight divisions in the initial stage adhering to biosafety regulations recommended by WHO for the establishment of virology institute.
The meeting has also decided to appoint a scientist of international repute as the head of the institute. An advisory committee of virology experts has also been formed to spearhead the project spread over five acres of land. Chief Secretary Tom Jose, Dr Suresh Das, Executive Vice President of Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), Dr Beena, MD, KSIDC among others attended the meeting.
Zoonotic diseases
Diseases like avian influenza, dengue fever, chicken guniya and Leptospirosis are some of the diseases prevalent in the state. Tuberculosis, Anthrax, Brucellosis, zoonotic rabies, Salmonellosis, Worm infestations, etc are also some of the diseases existing here as a result of poor waste management systems coupled with erratic environmental issues which cause the increase in the population of vectors which act as disease-transmitting agents.