NEW DELHI, Sept 10: India is strengthening its systems for detecting emerging infectious diseases through integrated surveillance of humans, animals and wildlife, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr Rajiv Bahl, has said.
In a letter to Rajya Sabha member Ajeet Gopchade, Bahl said several initiatives were underway to improve the country’s ability to identify and respond to public health threats at an early stage.
These measures include syndromic surveillance, integrated monitoring across human, animal and wildlife populations and wastewater-based surveillance for infectious pathogens.
Wastewater surveillance covering 13 priority pathogens is currently being conducted in 47 cities. According to the ICMR chief, the programme is expected to expand to 75 cities in 2027.
Such surveillance can provide an early indication of the circulation of infectious agents in communities and help health authorities identify potential outbreaks before they become more widespread.
The ICMR is also strengthening its genomic and metagenomic capabilities. Five specialised hubs have been established to improve the detection of novel and previously unidentified pathogens.
The developments come amid growing global concern over emerging infectious diseases and the need for faster detection and coordinated responses.
Bahl’s communication followed a call for a time-bound national biosecurity and biodefence strategy covering threats including emerging diseases, laboratory-related biological incidents, bioterrorism and biological warfare.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is working with relevant stakeholders on a draft National Biosecurity Policy, according to the communication.
The surveillance framework reflects a broader approach in which human health is considered alongside animal health and environmental factors. Officials believe such coordination can improve preparedness and help authorities respond more effectively to diseases that cross boundaries between people, animals and ecosystems.
The expansion of wastewater monitoring and genomic surveillance is expected to further strengthen India’s capacity to identify health threats and support evidence-based public health interventions.