Context: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying launched the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative and Animal Health System Support for One Health under the aegis of National One Health Mission to enhance India's preparedness and response to potential animal pandemics.
Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative
- This initiative aims to enhance India's preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.
- It will cover all aspects of disease prevention, control and pandemic preparedness and awareness among farmers through community outreach. The key elements include Integrated disease surveillance & monitoring, early warning & response, Vaccine/ diagnostics, R&D and production, and ecosystem coordination with funding and regulatory framework enablers.
Animal Health System Support for One Health
- The World Bank-funded project aims at creating an ecosystem for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach covering five (05) states in India.
Rationale: Strengthening animal health systems and implementing the One Health approach can better prevent and control zoonotic diseases, which not only impact the health and welfare of animals but also has a significant economic impact and human health concerns.