Latest news with #NationalInstituteofVirology
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
ICMR-NIV Pune inaugurates high performance computing facility
PUNE The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched its first High Performance Computing (HPC) facility at the ICMR–National Institute of Virology (NIV) Pune on Saturday. The advanced system, named NAKSHATRA, was inaugurated by Dr Rajiv Bahl, secretary of the department of health research and director general of ICMR. The facility has been developed under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) as part of a new project called 'High Performance Computing Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Hub'. It is designed to boost the country's ability to process large volumes of genomic and bioinformatics data—an area that faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic due to limited computing resources. Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Bahl praised the institute for its timely and strategic step towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision by strengthening the country's genomic surveillance and data analysis capacity. He highlighted how enhanced computing resources are crucial in preparing for technology driven pandemic preparedness and future public health emergencies. Dr Naveen Kumar, director, ICMR-NIV, emphasized the critical role the HPC cluster will play in supporting rapid, data-driven responses to outbreaks. The newly commissioned HPC cluster features twelve compute nodes, offering a total of 700 cores and 1 petabyte of storage. The infrastructure is tailored to support complex bioinformatics workflows including next-generation sequencing (NGS), transcriptomics, phylogenetics, metagenomics, and structural bioinformatics. Initially, the facility will serve five ICMR institutes across the country, acting as a central repository for sequencing data and extending support to Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) in the near future. This makes the Pune-based institute a critical hub for outbreak investigations and pandemic preparedness, with the potential to accelerate AI-driven drug and vaccine discovery.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Youth who died at Salem hospital tests positive for COVID-19
A 25-year-old person, who reportedly tested positive for COVID-19, died at the Salem Government Hospital on Thursday. The youth, a resident of Kolathur near Mettur, was admitted to the Mettur Government Hospital owing to renal failure on Wednesday. While in the hospital, he tested positive for COVID-19. Following this, he was referred to the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital (GMKMCH), where he later died, officials said. Dean of the hospital J. Devi Meenal said the deceased had suffered from kidney failure and other infections. 'No need to panic' A total of 293 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported during May in Tamil Nadu. Of these, 148 are currently under observation, an official release said. Speaking at an event in Chennai on Saturday, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian reiterated that there was no need to panic over the current COVID-19 situation. Noting that 19 samples from Tamil Nadu were sent to the National Institute of Virology for whole genome sequencing, he said the results showed that the infections were due to non-virulent strains of Omicron. The Union Health Ministry, in a circular to all States, stressed the need for frequent hand washing and cough etiquette. 'They have said that it is good for persons with co-morbidities and the elderly to wear masks in public places,' Mr. Subramanian said, adding that it was not mandatory. He said Tamil Nadu had adequate health infrastructure in terms of beds and oxygen capacity and dengue cases were also under control in the State. There have been four deaths due to dengue since the start of the year, he added.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
State records 38 new Covid-19 cases in a day
Chennai: Tamil Nadu recorded 38 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, health minister Ma Subramanian said. In May, the state reported 293 cases of Covid-19, among which 148 patients are still on the active list, he said. "There is no reason to panic," he told reporters. The state sent 26 samples to National Institute of Virology for whole genome sequencing. "The lab confirmed that none of the samples contained any virulent form of the virus. All samples were Omicron variants, specifically JN.1, LF.7, NB.1.8.1, MV.1, and BA.3. No new mutations were seen," he said. The surge in Covid-19 has been recorded internationally. Across India, around 1,800 cases were detected. "But in most people, the disease is self-limiting. People complain of fever, fatigue, cold, and sore throat," he said. "One person with a co-morbid condition succumbed to the infection recently," he said. Directorate of public health issued a notification asking doctors and hospitals across the state to report influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases to the district surveillance unit, which will be monitored by the state surveillance units to facilitate a timely public health response, including micro-containment, besides early diagnosis and treatment for infected people. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Hospitals have been advised to keep medical facilities such as oxygen, medicines, and manpower ready in case of a surge. "We have advised people, particularly the elderly with co-morbidities, to wear masks when they are in crowded places," he said.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Health
- United News of India
Relief in Nipah virus; observation period of 166 contact people has ended: Kerala Health Minister
Malappuram, May 29 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said the quarantine and observation period of all the 166 people who came in contact with a woman who tested positive for Nipah Virus in the district ended on Thursday. An online review meeting was chaired by Health Minister Veena George regarding the Nipah outbreak. Out of the 166 people, 65 were in the high risk category and 101 were in the low-risk category. The results of 114 people who tested positive were negative. However, the tested positive 42- year-old woman is continuing her treatment in a hospital at Perinthalmanna. She said "As a precautionary measure, 28 people with symptoms were admitted to hospitals and health workers visited 4,749 houses as part of a fever survey and 10 people were provided with psychological support over the phone". It was on May 8, a 42-year old woman of Valanchery was admitted with suspected Nipah Virus, with high fever and breathing problems. The infection was confirmed after sample testing at Kozhikode microbiology Lab and National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune. This is the third outbreak of Nipah Virus reported from Malappuram and seventh outbreak in Kerala. UNI AK RN
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Maharashtra sees a surge in COVID cases with 86 new cases reported, 6 dead
With the surge in COVID cases, the Public Health Department of Maharashtra confirmed 86 new cases of COVID on Wednesday (May 28, 2025), raising the total cases to 521 across the State from January. Meanwhile, six patients, who had underlying health conditions, died of COVID. One patient died of fever and breathlessness. 'The five patients died from comorbidities, having underlying conditions such as nephrotic syndrome, cancer, cerebrovascular disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, interstitial lung disease,' said a State health official. According to the department, so far, 132 patients have recovered, and 383 cases are active. Since January, Mumbai has recorded 352 cases, out of which 346 alone were found positive in May. On 28 May, Mumbai in Maharashtra reported 36 new positive cases, while 24 in Thane, 9 in Pune, 3 in Chinchwad, 4 in Navi Mumbai and Pimpri-4, 2 in Kalyan and Ahmednagar, 1 in Nagpur and Raigad each. The Public Health Department has conducted 8,868 tests since January. According to the health department, COVID cases are being reported in other states and countries as well. The National Institute of Virology (NIV) and BJ Medical College, Pune, are conducting genome sequencing of COVID samples. Currently, ILI(Influenza-like Illness) and SARI(Severe Acute Respiratory Infection) surveys are underway in Maharashtra for COVID. In that survey, such patients are tested for COVID.
