National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (Zoonotic Diseases)

National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses (Zoonotic Diseases)

Prelims:

Environment & Ecology, Science & Technology, Public Health, Government Policies

Mains:

GS Paper II-Health, GS Paper III-Science & Technology, Environment

Current relevance:

        On the occasion of World Zoonoses Day (6 July 2026), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organized a National Multistakeholder Consultation on the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses: A Strategic Framework with One Health Approach.

Highlights:

1.      The consultation brought together stakeholders from the human health, animal health, wildlife, environment, academic and development sectors
2.      Aim: To strengthen India's preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases (diseases transmitted naturally between animals and humans).
3.      The consultation emphasized the need for sustained multisectoral coordination to operationalize the One Health Approach, integrating efforts across the human health, animal health, wildlife and environmental sectors.
4.      During the event, the Government launched two technical resources under the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses:
                    i.            Learning Resource Package on 10 Priority Zoonotic Diseases.
                  ii.            Comprehensive E-Learning Modules for healthcare professionals, veterinarians, public health officials and other frontline workers.
5.      The consultation reviewed the draft National Action Plan through thematic sessions covering:
       Governance and institutional mechanism, Surveillance and early warning systems, Laboratory strengthening, Prevention and preparedness, Outbreak response, Research and innovation, Risk communication, Workforce development, Financing, Monitoring, evaluation and implementation strategies.
6.      The discussions highlighted the need to:
                    i.            Expand sentinel surveillance sites.
                  ii.            Strengthen laboratory networks.
                iii.            Promote timely data sharing through IHIP 2.0.
                iv.            Build capacity of frontline professionals.
                  v.            Leverage digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for disease intelligence, early warning, outbreak prediction and rapid response.
7.      The above recommendations from the consultation will be incorporated into the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, which will serve as India's national strategic framework for coordinated multisectoral action and guide States/UTs in developing State Action Plans based on the One Health Approach. 

Source: PIB - https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2281860&RegID=6&LID=1&reg=48&lang=2