NIV to study impact of H1N1 virus

After the swine flu claimed its first casualty in Pune, the National Institute of Virology (NIV) has decided to modify its strategy. The NIV is one of the nodal agencies entrusted with the H1N1 virus test.

Dr AC Mishra, NIV director, told DNA that till now they had mostly been testing individual samples sent to them. But now experts from NIV would be carrying out a few community studies. “We are planning to study the impact of the virus in the city. We will be doing it at the school level because a school reflects the community around it,” he said.

“The need for a H1N1 vaccine is being felt. Currently, patients are being administered Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate) which is available in the form of a capsule. Though we are working on a war footing, the vaccine will take around six months,” he added.