Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response

In the past few decades, World Health Organisation (WHO) declared 6 public health emergencies of international concern, and 5 of these have had animal origin. The COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world to acknowledge that pandemic preparedness and response (PPR) needs a One Health approach and future pandemic preparedness would require a focus on animal health security.

Facts about animal origin public health emergencies

• 5/6 public health emergencies of intemational concem declared by WHO had animal origin
• 2/3 of infectious diseases affecting humans originate from animals
• Zoonotic diseases account for more than 1B cases and 1M deaths /year
• Unsafe food causes 600 M cases of foodborne diseases and 0.42 M deatha
• SARS and Avian flu are estimated to have caused global economic loss of 50B$, and 30B $ respectively.

India, with a population of 1.4 billion people, 536 million livestock (including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs), and 852 million poultry, emphasizes the importance of preventive measures in managing emerging infectious diseases. In addition to health hazards, animal disease outbreaks also threaten to reverse the gains made in poverty reduction. Hence, ensuring animal health security is crucial to not only human health but also to India's overall economy and export potential.

The G20 Pandemic Fund has approved the $25 million proposal submitted by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying (MOFAD), Government of India on "Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response."

Aim of the project

This project aims to enhance the country's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats.

It is being implemented through three implementing entities: Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The expected completion date of the Implementation of the Pandemic Fund Grant's activities is August 2026.

Major Interventions

The major interventions under the project are strengthening and integrating disease surveillance and early warning systems, upgrading and expanding the laboratory network, improving the interoperable data systems, building capacity for data analytics and risk communication, and strengthening health security for transboundary animal diseases and India's role in regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.

Major outputs from India

• Augmentation of Laboratory Systems: This will focus on upgrading and expanding animal health laboratories and developing laboratory networks.
• Strengthening of Surveillance and Early Warning Systems: Emphasis will be placed on enhancing early warning systems and building robust sentinel and passive surveillance mechanisms to detect potential outbreaks at an early stage and facilitate timely interventions.
• Development of Human Resources Capacity and Competency: This will involve capacity-building initiatives to enhance the skills and capabilities of animal health human resources.
• Strengthening of Data Systems, Analytics, Risk Analysis, and Risk Communication: Upgrading data management systems and enhancing analytics capabilities will enable better risk assessment, improved decision-making, and more effective communication strategies related to animal health risks.
• Addressing Cross-Cutting Institutional Capacity Gaps at National and Regional Levels: The project will strengthen institutional capacity at both national and regional levels by supporting the development of a disaster management framework for the livestock sector, enhancing AMR mitigation efforts, as well as coordination and collaboration via regional platforms.

Impact

The impact of the project would be to reduce the risk that a pathogen will emerge from animals (domesticated and wildlife) and be transmitted to the human population, endangering the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations. 

Source : Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD)