Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas mock drill strengthens India preparedness for zoonotic disease outbreaks

📌 Summary:

• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying conducted 'Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas (PYA)', the third national mock drill under the National One Health Mission (Khari village, Vidisha, MP, 29 June-3 July 2026)
• Purpose: test preparedness, intersectoral coordination and emergency response for animal-origin (zoonotic) disease outbreaks
• Scenario simulated an Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak in animals with spillover potential to humans and wildlife
• Full response chain tested: surveillance, early warning, field epidemiology, sampling, lab diagnosis, risk assessment, biosecurity, containment, movement control, public communication
• Participation across sectors: DAHD, ICAR, NCDC, ICMR, PSA office, BSL-3 labs (ICAR-NIHSAD Bhopal, AIIMS Bhopal), MoEF&CC and state/district administration

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2/GS3 — One Health approach, pandemic/zoonotic preparedness, disaster and health-system coordination.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Conducted under the National One Health Mission by DAHD (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)
• One Health integrates human, animal and environmental health
• ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal is a BSL-3 (high-security) animal disease laboratory

🔑 Key Term: One Health — an integrated approach recognising the interconnection of human, animal and ecosystem health, especially for zoonoses.