Health Ministry holds consultation on National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses on World Zoonoses Day

📌 Summary:

• On World Zoonoses Day (6 July), the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare held a National Multistakeholder Consultation on the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses using a One Health approach
• It brought together human health, animal health, wildlife, environment, academic and development sectors to strengthen preparedness against zoonotic diseases
• The Action Plan aims at a strategic framework covering governance, surveillance, laboratory systems, preparedness/response, risk communication, research, monitoring & evaluation and sustainable financing; it will help states draft context-specific State Action Plans
• Two technical resources were launched: a Learning Resource Package on 10 priority zoonotic diseases and E-Learning Modules
• The 10 priority zoonotic diseases: Anthrax, Brucellosis, Kyasanur Forest Disease, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Nipah, Mpox, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Scrub Typhus and Zika
• Emphasis on integrated surveillance via Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) 2.0, expanded sentinel sites, stronger lab networks and use of AI for disease intelligence and early warning

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 Governance/health and GS3 S&T — the One Health approach to disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and multisectoral coordination against zoonotic spillover.

📝 Prelims Facts:

• World Zoonoses Day is observed on 6 July (marks Louis Pasteur's first rabies vaccine, 1885)
• Kyasanur Forest Disease and Nipah are among the 10 priority zoonoses; NCDC anchors surveillance
• IHIP = Integrated Health Information Platform (India's disease surveillance platform)

🔑 Key Term: One Health — an integrated approach recognising that human, animal and environmental health are interconnected, requiring cross-sectoral coordination.