The Centre is planning to establish an institute in Mumbai to carry out extensive research on leptospirosis, Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss said on Tuesday.
The proposed institute, which will be set up soon in collaboration with the Maharashtra government, will also have an advanced diagnostic centre, Ramadoss said. It would be on the lines of ICMR's Regional Research Centre at Port Blair, which specialises in this water-borne disease.
The Minister earlier visited the Indian Red Cross Society and met officials to discuss the relief and rehabilitation work, following the July 26 deluge in Mumbai. Several people had died after the July floods in and around the city due to suspected leptospirosis.