National Institute of Virology

Welcome to NIV PUNE
The National Institute of Virology is one of the major Institutes of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It was established at Pune, Maharashtra State in 1952 as Virus Research Centre (VRC) under the auspices of the ICMR and the Rockefeller Foundation (RF), USA. It was an outcome of the global programme of the RF for investigating the Arthropod Borne viruses.

Since the studies on arboviruses and their arthropod vectors involve most of the basic principles and techniques of general virology, entomology and zoology, these viruses were also considered to be an ideal group, to begin with, for intensive training and research in virology in our country. The RF withdrew its support in 1967 and since then the Institute is entirely funded by the ICMR

The research activities of the center were made more meaningful and self reliant by organizing new areas of research, such as Cell repository, Electron microscopy, Rickettsioses, Hepatitis, Influenza and related viruses, Clinical virology, Biochemistry, Virus registry, and Biostatistics. The research activities of the Institute are coordinated by a Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) consisting of eminent scientists.

By the 70s the Institute had developed deep scientific roots, nurtured through the sustained efforts of many dedicated workers. With the expertise in virological training and research and emphasis on self-reliance, the centre was well prepared to undertake full responsibility as a National Institute. On the recommendation of the SAC, the VRC acquired its status of national importance and was renamed as National Institute of Virology (NIV) in 1978. Subsequently studies on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Rotavirus gastroenteritis, acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, Rabies, Herpes sirnplex, Buffalo pox, Measles, and Poliomyelitis were also initiated

A Microbial Containment Complex (MCC) having P-3 biosafety levels for handling microorganisms of highly infectious nature is being established at Pashan, 11 km off the main laboratory at Pune. This laboratory will provide National Containment facility for safe handling of highly hazardous pathogens.

The Institute was designated as one of the collaborating laboratories of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1967 and it started functioning as the regional centre of the WHO for South-East Asia for arbovirus studies from 1969. Since 1974, it has been functioning as a WHO collaborating centre for arbovirus reference and research.

In 1995 it has been redesignated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Arbovirus and Haemorrhagic Fever Reference and Research and Rapid Diagnosis of Viral Diseases. NIV is also the National Centre for Hepatitis and Influenza. The field unit of NIV at Bangalore is one of the centers under National Polio Surveillance Program conducting surveillance of acute flaccid paralysis cases from Kamataka as a part of Global Polio Eradication Prograrnme of the WHO South-East Asia region since 1997.

FROM DIRECTORS DESK
Changes in global ecology, demography and human behavior continue to be the greatest risk factors in the emergence of future pathogens-notably viruses This theme was focused on the occasion of golden jubilee through two landmark events. First, the congregation of world scientific community at the Symposium on Emerging Viral Infections: New Frontiers & Challenges, held in October 2004 at NIV and the inauguration of the country's first High Containment Laboratory at the hands of the Hon'ble President of India , Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam,On 1Feb 2005. These two events in the golden jubilee year provided the platform for the next era fighting viral diseases in the India and evolve strategies for better control and prevention of viral diseases of public health importance.

In the year 2004-2005, we continued to focus on the investigations of outbreak/ epidemics Suspected viral etiology in the various parts of country. Interdisciplinary research ranging from arboviral surveillance, role of vectors in various transmission , molecular virology & development of candidate vaccines were also carried out. Viral encephalitis was a major Public health problem in different parts of country.

Epidemics of Japanese Encephalitis Virus were reported from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and active surveillance is ongoing. Importantly, the Chandipura Virus was again associated with high fatality encephalitis outbreaks in pediatric age groups in other parts of India that included Gujarat, parts of Mahrashtra and Andhra Pradesh. A retrospective study carried out on representative clinical samples collected during the encephalitis outbreak in Siliguri, West Bangal in 2001 , in Collaboration with CDC Atlanta, USA, identified the Nipah Virus as the etiologic agent for the first time in India.

A large epidemic of viral hepatitis due to Hepatitis A Virus (HAV) took place in Kottayam district of Kerala , in September 2004 affecting 1180 individuals and having an epicenter around a medical collage. This finding emphasizes the need to focus more on the emergence of epidemic forms of HAV. On the other hand , Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) outbreaks were also detected in parts Maharashtra.

These studies highlight the importance of environmental sampling where molecular tool could directly detect the presence of virus in drinking water samples and water bodies in affected areas. Influenza virus surveillance was continued more aggressively in an expanded form involving a multi centric approach and covering representative parts of India. We also continued to provide timely and rapid viral diagnosis to various state health authorities for better disease management and control strategies.

We would like to thanks the Director General ICMR; the distinguished members of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), the members of various institutional committees for their continued guidance and colleagues at all level for their active co-operation in helping us collectively our mandate.

HIGHLIGHTS OF NIV SERVICES

• Outbreak Response
• Diagnostics and kit supply
• Surveillance-Human Mosquito birds and poultry
• Basic and applied research
• Supply of laboratory animals

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National Institute of Virology Degree Programs :

Medicine

Video Presentation

H1N1 tests: Lab overburdened, Pune anxious

The National Institute of Virology gets more than 600 swab tests each day when it has a capacity to handle just about 300. Authorities now want to limit the number of tests they take and instead focus on studying the behaviour of the virus