The Institute of Advanced Virology (IAV) in the capital has been named as the regional coordinator of the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (NOHPPCZ) under the Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM).
The institute will receive Central funding of ₹5 crore in the first phase for fulfilling its tasks under the new role.
The IAV’s association with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which plays a pivotal role in the PM-ABHIM and is the nodal agency for integrated disease surveillance and response systems to public health emergencies, will strengthen the One Health surveillance network in the southern part of the country, Director of IAV E. Sreekumar said.
The One Health approach which integrates human, animal, and environmental health and the expertise of the IAV in molecular diagnostics will be an added advantage for disease surveillance and early diagnosis in taking this initiative forward.
In its role as the regional coordinator, the IAV will provide all diagnostic support for the sentinel labs under the One Health initiative and facilitate the external quality assessment scheme (EQAS). It will also organise periodic training programme and workshops to help the One Health initiative
S. Aswathy Raj, scientist at IAV, will function as the coordinator of this project, under the guidance of Dr. Sreekumar.
The institute currently has an advanced Molecular Diagnostic facility which has the capacity to test for over 80 viruses and a Viral Bioassay facility which is supported by DBT-SAHAJ. The Institute undertakes neutralising antibody and antiviral screening tests, viral antigen production and recombinant monoclonal antibody development at the BSL-2 level.
Through integrated efforts, the IAV aims to significantly enhance data collection and analysis and improve the efficiency of preventive strategies for zoonotic diseases in Kerala and other southern States.
Published – November 15, 2025 05:33 pm IST
