NEW DELHI, Nov 3: India is highlighting the importance of strengthening cooperation between human healthcare, veterinary services and environmental protection as the country observes One Health Day on Tuesday, with renewed attention on preventing infectious diseases that can spread between animals and humans.
The annual observance aims to promote a coordinated approach to health challenges by recognising the close relationship between people, animals, plants and the environment. It also highlights the importance of identifying potential disease threats before they develop into large-scale public health emergencies.
The One Health approach has gained international importance following the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and growing concerns over emerging infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance and environmental changes.
Several infectious diseases affecting humans originate in animals or are transmitted through interactions involving wildlife, livestock and domestic animals. These include rabies, Nipah virus infection, avian influenza, leptospirosis and certain forms of viral haemorrhagic fever.
Health experts have increasingly stressed that monitoring human populations alone may not be sufficient to identify emerging threats. Surveillance systems must also examine animal populations, wildlife habitats, food production chains and environmental conditions that can influence disease transmission.
India has been strengthening its national preparedness through the National One Health Mission, which brings together multiple government departments, scientific institutions and research organisations to improve coordination across different sectors.
The mission is implemented by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), while the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser provides scientific coordination and oversight.
According to the government’s framework, more than 13 ministries and departments are involved in developing an integrated approach to disease prevention, surveillance and outbreak response.
The initiative aims to establish stronger early-warning systems, improve access to disease-related information and support coordinated investigations whenever infections with the potential to spread across species are identified.
National One Health Mission Focuses on Early Detection
The National One Health Mission is designed to strengthen India’s ability to identify and respond to infectious disease threats affecting humans, animals and the environment.
Its objectives include improving integrated disease surveillance, developing diagnostic technologies, strengthening research capabilities and establishing mechanisms for rapid coordination during outbreaks.
One of its important components involves building a network of high-containment laboratories capable of handling dangerous infectious pathogens.
The government’s mission framework reports that 22 laboratories are currently part of this network, which is intended to support the investigation of disease outbreaks involving human, livestock and wildlife populations.
These facilities are expected to strengthen the country’s ability to analyse biological samples, identify disease-causing organisms and support timely responses to emerging infections.
Another major priority is the development of surveillance systems that can detect potential outbreaks through multiple sources of information.
Traditional disease surveillance generally depends on patients reporting symptoms, healthcare facilities identifying infections and laboratories confirming diagnoses. Although these systems remain essential, infections can sometimes circulate in animals or the environment before cases are detected among humans.
The One Health framework therefore encourages the use of additional monitoring methods, including environmental surveillance.
The government has identified sewage, water sources, mosquitoes, ticks, rodents, milk supplies, animal markets and other environmental indicators as potential sources of information about disease transmission.
Such monitoring can provide early indications of pathogen circulation and help authorities investigate possible threats before they spread widely.
The mission also seeks to improve coordination between veterinary laboratories and human healthcare institutions, particularly in areas where communities have frequent contact with livestock and wildlife.
Wastewater Surveillance Strengthens Disease Monitoring
India is also expanding its use of wastewater surveillance as part of efforts to identify infectious diseases and monitor emerging public health threats.
According to information shared by ICMR Director General Rajiv Bahl, surveillance of wastewater for 13 priority pathogens is being conducted across 47 cities, with plans to extend the programme to 75 cities in 2027.
The initiative is intended to provide an additional source of information about the circulation of infectious agents within communities.
Wastewater monitoring can help identify disease-related signals even when infected individuals have not yet sought medical attention or received a formal diagnosis.
The method involves collecting and analysing samples from sewage systems to identify genetic material associated with specific pathogens.
However, detecting a pathogen in wastewater does not necessarily establish how many people are infected or indicate the severity of an outbreak. Results must be interpreted alongside clinical information, laboratory investigations and other epidemiological evidence.
The expansion of this surveillance network reflects a broader effort to strengthen India’s public health monitoring infrastructure.
The country has also established five genomic and metagenomic hubs to improve its ability to identify known and previously unidentified pathogens.
Genomic surveillance allows scientists to examine the genetic characteristics of infectious organisms and understand how they evolve, spread and potentially develop resistance to existing treatments.
Metagenomic techniques can help identify multiple organisms within complex biological samples without requiring researchers to know the exact pathogen in advance.
These capabilities could prove valuable when investigating unusual disease clusters or infections that do not initially match established diagnostic patterns.
Zoonotic Diseases Remain a Major Public Health Challenge
Zoonotic diseases are infections that can spread between animals and humans through direct contact, contaminated food or water, insect bites and other transmission routes.
According to international health estimates, a substantial proportion of emerging infectious diseases affecting humans have an animal origin.
India faces several zoonotic disease challenges because of its large livestock population, diverse wildlife, high population density and close interaction between people and animals in many rural and urban communities.
Rabies remains a major concern, particularly in areas where access to timely vaccination and post-exposure treatment is limited.
Nipah virus infections have also highlighted the importance of monitoring diseases associated with animal reservoirs and their potential transmission to humans.
Similarly, avian influenza requires close coordination between animal health authorities, poultry producers and public health agencies to identify infections and prevent further transmission.
Leptospirosis, which can spread through water or soil contaminated by infected animal urine, presents additional challenges, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
The government has therefore been working towards improving surveillance and outbreak investigation through the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses.
The programme, implemented by the National Centre for Disease Control under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aims to strengthen cooperation between health departments, veterinary institutions, wildlife authorities and environmental agencies.
Its activities include improving laboratory capabilities, developing technical expertise, supporting joint investigations and increasing public awareness about diseases that can spread between animals and humans.
The Centre for One Health also coordinates national programmes addressing rabies and leptospirosis, alongside broader zoonotic disease prevention efforts.
Government Strengthens Training and Disease Preparedness
India has also been focusing on improving the technical capabilities of healthcare workers, veterinarians and other professionals involved in disease surveillance.
On July 6, 2026, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised a national multi-stakeholder consultation on the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses.
The consultation brought together representatives from human healthcare, animal health, wildlife, environmental organisations, academic institutions and development agencies.
The discussions focused on improving coordination and developing a comprehensive framework for preventing and controlling infections that cross the human animal boundary.
The government also launched a learning resource package and electronic training modules to strengthen the skills of professionals involved in zoonotic disease surveillance and response.
The initiative aims to improve understanding of disease transmission, encourage coordinated investigations and support the development of state-specific action plans.
Such training is important because detecting an emerging infection requires cooperation between several institutions.
For instance, when an unusual illness is identified in a community with a history of animal exposure, healthcare professionals may need to coordinate with veterinary officers and laboratory specialists to determine whether the infection has an animal source.
Rapid communication between these agencies can help establish the origin of an outbreak and support appropriate preventive measures.
The government has also encouraged states and Union Territories to develop their own One Health frameworks based on regional disease patterns, local environmental conditions and available healthcare resources.
This approach is particularly relevant for areas with substantial livestock activity, wildlife populations or recurring exposure to vector-borne and waterborne infections.
Antimicrobial Resistance Adds to the Challenge
Another important issue addressed through the One Health approach is antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
AMR develops when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites become resistant to medicines used to treat infections. As a result, certain diseases can become more difficult to manage, increasing the risk of complications and treatment failure.
The problem extends beyond human healthcare because antimicrobial medicines are also used in veterinary medicine and animal production.
Inappropriate use of antibiotics in people and animals, inadequate infection prevention and the release of pharmaceutical and biological waste into the environment can contribute to the spread of resistant microorganisms.
The National One Health Mission therefore includes efforts to strengthen AMR surveillance across different sectors.
The government is working with research institutions and international partners to improve monitoring systems, support laboratory networks and encourage responsible use of antimicrobial medicines.
Environmental surveillance is also considered important because resistant bacteria and resistance-related genetic material can circulate through wastewater, agricultural settings and other environmental sources.
Experts have repeatedly emphasised that antibiotics should only be used when medically necessary and under the guidance of qualified healthcare professionals.
Patients should avoid taking antibiotics without prescriptions, while healthcare facilities must follow appropriate infection-control procedures and responsible prescribing practices.
Environmental Protection Is Essential for Disease Prevention
The One Health approach also recognises that environmental changes can influence the emergence and spread of infectious diseases.
Deforestation, habitat destruction, changing weather patterns, pollution and rapid urbanisation can alter the interactions between humans, animals and disease-carrying organisms.
For example, changes in land use may bring communities into closer contact with wildlife, increasing opportunities for certain infections to cross species boundaries.
Similarly, warmer temperatures and changing rainfall patterns can affect the geographical distribution of mosquitoes and ticks, potentially influencing the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Contaminated water sources and inadequate sanitation can also increase the risk of infections affecting both humans and animals.
Addressing these concerns requires cooperation between public health authorities, environmental agencies, agricultural departments and local administrations.
The government’s One Health framework encourages integrated planning and research to understand how environmental conditions influence disease risks.
It also promotes stronger surveillance of climate-sensitive infections and improved preparedness for outbreaks associated with changing ecological conditions.
Building a More Prepared Healthcare System
As India observes One Health Day 2026, the focus remains on converting scientific cooperation and surveillance capabilities into effective public health protection.
The National One Health Mission provides a framework for bringing together institutions that traditionally operate separately, allowing them to share information and coordinate responses to common threats.
The expansion of wastewater surveillance, development of genomic research facilities and strengthening of high-containment laboratories represent important elements of this effort.
However, the effectiveness of these initiatives will depend on sustained investment, trained personnel, reliable laboratory infrastructure and timely communication between central and state-level agencies.
Public participation will also remain essential. Communities can help reduce disease risks through vaccination of domestic animals, responsible waste disposal, improved sanitation, safe food handling and prompt reporting of unusual illnesses among people or animals.
Veterinary professionals, healthcare workers and environmental scientists must work together to identify potential threats and ensure that appropriate action is taken without delay.
The observance of One Health Day serves as a reminder that public health security cannot be achieved through medical interventions alone. Protecting human health also requires safeguarding animals, maintaining healthy ecosystems and improving the systems that detect infectious diseases.
For India, strengthening this integrated approach could play an important role in preventing future outbreaks, controlling antimicrobial resistance and improving preparedness for emerging health emergencies.