A specialized team is being formed to tackle future pandemics, focusing on swift detection and response to emerging health threats.
The National Institute of One Health (NIOH) in Nagpur will include a National Joint Outbreak Response Team. This team will work to quickly identify and analyze the causes of disease outbreaks.
According to The Economic Times, the initiative involves experts from different fields. Dr. Pragya Yadav, Director-in-Charge of NIOH, said the team will investigate outbreaks and research vaccines, treatments, and diagnostics. Mock exercises are being conducted to test outbreak response strategies.
Dr. Yadav stated that NIOH will bring together ministries and sectors for joint research. The aim is to improve surveillance and development to strengthen India’s health security. The institute will help the country handle future pandemics and zoonotic diseases better.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) decided to set up NIOH in Nagpur. Two research projects have already started to study zoonotic diseases in Central India. The collaboration between medical and veterinary experts is a step toward implementing the One Health approach effectively.
The focus is on preparing India for health emergencies like “Disease X,” a term used for unknown future threats. The new team will ensure faster detection and response to such risks.
