India plans to detect zoonotic diseases

India is launching an ambitious, inter-ministerial scientific study aimed at detecting zoonotic diseases that could spill over from birds to humans, focusing on the critical intersection of human, bird, and forest health. This unique study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will be conducted in selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, leveraging the One Health approach to monitor the health of both human populations and migratory bird species, as well as the environment in which they coexist.

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On the occasion, as per the official press release, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General, ICMR, and Secretary, DHR said, “Just as a strong radar system is essential for timely and precise action, robust surveillance systems are critical for early detection and containment of emerging health threats. Scientific developments have a pivotal role in developing innovative tools and advancing research to strengthen these surveillance ‘radars’ which can be implemented in a programmatic manner. The press release adds that National One Health Mission (NOHM) leverages cutting-edge science in ‘one-world-one-health’ settings to anticipate or mitigate human health risks.