Country’s First Institute For Advanced Virology Inaugurated In Thiruvananthapuram

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated India’s first institute of Advanced Virology in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday (9 February), Business Standard reports. The institute is affiliated to the vast Global Virus Network, which consists of 45 centres of excellence across 29 countries.

The institute was announced post-Nipah Virus outbreak in May 2018 and is located at the Bio 360 Life Sciences Park in Thiruvananthapuram. Vijayan, in a Facebook post, said the foundation for the institute was laid on 30 May 2018 and the construction of the 25,000 square feet building was completed in eight months.

Kerala, until now, used to depend on other states to detect various viruses. During the Nipah outbreak, Manipal Virology Insititute aided the state in identifying and distinguishing the virus’s nature. However, the institute will be able to confirm the virus which causes infectious diseases and would also be able to detect new ones to plan preventive measures without delay.

“A Center of Global Virus Network will operate in the institute, a first in India," Vijayan said. The Institute will offer a PG diploma and Ph.D in Virology and includes high-end research facilities to study viruses and viral infections.