Pushpagiri Centre for Virology & Molecular Biology

Kerala has the best health indices in the country, best exemplified by low infant and maternal mortality. However, the urbanization drive even in the remotest areas is inflicting serious damages in the environment. Though the high health indices are commendable, the state is in the grip of epidemics with infectious diseases round the year. The climate with two monsoon seasons, environment and thick population makes Kerala, a haven of infectious diseases and as a result diseases emerge and reemerge. The complacency and lethargy among the health care providers of the state with high health care indices also contribute to the cause.

Kerala has the best health indices in the country, best exemplified by low infant and maternal mortality. However, the urbanization drive even in the remotest areas is inflicting serious damages in the environment. Though the high health indices are commendable, the state is in the grip of epidemics with infectious diseases round the year. The climate with two monsoon seasons, environment and thick population makes Kerala, a haven of infectious diseases and as a result diseases emerge and reemerge. The complacency and lethargy among the health care providers of the state with high health care indices also contribute to the cause.

God’s Own Country – a haven for infectious diseases?
Reports suggests that our land is fertile for many infectious diseases. Diseases like Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C are becoming more established and along with HIV needs early diagnosis for proper management and prevention. Many diseases thought to have been eradicated, controlled or were seldom encountered in our state have reappeared Viz. Malaria, Cholera, Weil’s disease (Leptospirosis), scrub typhus, Kyasnur Forest Disease (KFD) etc. Diseases thought to be non-existent in Kerala, like, mosquito-borne virus diseases like Japanese EncephaIitis, Chikungunya, Dengue fever are been on the rise in the recent years. Cases with the dangerous form of influenza, H1N1, are also rising. Recent outbreaks of Diphtheria, which is once thought to be a well-controlled bacterial disease, among children in the Northern Kerala is causing real concerns. Respiratory infections with Human Metapneumo virus and Respiratory Syncitial Virus are also increasing, especially among children below 5 years of age. Tuberculosis is still a majour problem and even many cases of drug resistant tuberculosis have been reported in the recent past. In addition, a good number of Kerala’s citizens are living abroad and as they do regular visits to the state, can bring many diseases prevalent in those countries too The main affected category is young children, pregnant ladies, the elderly, the marginalized and the poor. The healthcare related expenses are on the rise and the large section of the population is struggling to pay for. This is because many diseases are diagnosed very late and by the time the disease become full blown and requires special care and long stay at hospitals.

Here is the role of Pushpagiri Centre for Virology & Molecular Biology Laboratory provides a full range of diagnostic services primarily for the detection and monitoring of viral illnesses and bacterial molecular diagnosis in both the adult and paediatric patient populations. The centre is associated with Pushhpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Tiruvalla, Kerala.