Baltimore > The Institute of Human Virology (IHV), Baltimore honoured Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for effectively containing the spread of Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. Dr Robert C Gallo, co-founder of the Institute and famous virologist, who co-discovered HIV and developed Elisa test kit, presented a memento to the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a function held at the IHV campus. Nipah outbreak killed 18 persons in Kozhikode and Malappuram district in the months of May and June.
Vijayan is currently on US tour and visited IHV, Baltimore to acquire first hand knowledge on the functioning of the institute to set up world class Virology Institute in Kerala. Health Minister KK Shailaja Teacher also accompanied the Chief Minister during his visit to the institute.
Vijayan held discussions with Dr Gallo, senior fellows and scientists of the institute and probed the possibility of collaboration with Kerala government in setting up Virology Institute in Kerala. Dr Gallo offered all support and technological assistance for Kerala's initiative. Dr MV Pillai, Dr Sharngadharan and Dr Shyamsunder of IHV also participated in the discussion. It's for the first time that an Indian chief minister was honoured by the institute in its history
