Health Ministry Organizes National Consultation on Zoonotic Disease Action Plan
The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organized a National Multistakeholder Consultation on the National Action Plan for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses: A Strategic Framework with One Health Approach in New Delhi on July 6, 2026. The consultation brought together senior representatives from human health, animal health, wildlife, environmental, academic, and development sectors to deliberate on strengthening India's preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.
Dr. Rakesh Gupta, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, highlighted that zoonotic diseases continue to pose significant public health, animal health, and economic challenges globally and in India. He emphasized the government's commitment to stronger multisectoral coordination, integrated surveillance systems through IHIP 2.0, enhanced laboratory networks, skilled workforce, digital innovations, and evidence-based decision-making. The proposed National Action Plan will provide a comprehensive strategic framework to strengthen governance, surveillance, laboratory systems, preparedness and response, risk communication, research and innovation, monitoring and evaluation, and sustainable financing.
Key Technical Resources Launched
During the inaugural session, dignitaries launched two key technical resources developed under the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses: the Learning Resource Package on 10 Priority Zoonotic Diseases and a comprehensive suite of E-Learning Modules. The Learning Resource Package covers ten specific priority zoonotic diseases: Anthrax, Brucellosis, Kyasanur Forest Disease, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, Nipah, Mpox, Rabies, Leptospirosis, Scrub Typhus, and Zika. These resources were developed to strengthen the knowledge and competencies of healthcare professionals, veterinarians, public health officials, and other frontline stakeholders engaged in zoonotic disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
Technical Deliberations and Implementation Framework
The consultation featured thematic technical sessions where experts reviewed draft chapters of the National Action Plan. Extensive deliberations covered critical areas including governance and institutional mechanisms, surveillance and early warning systems, laboratory strengthening, prevention and preparedness, outbreak response, research and innovation, risk communication, workforce development, financing, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation strategies. Discussions emphasized strengthening integrated surveillance systems through expansion of sentinel surveillance sites, enhancing laboratory networks, promoting timely data sharing through IHIP 2.0, and building capacities of frontline professionals across sectors. Participants also emphasized leveraging digital technologies and artificial intelligence to strengthen disease intelligence, facilitate early warning systems, and improve outbreak prediction and response.
The Action Plan will support States and Union Territories in developing context-specific State Action Plans aligned with national priorities. The recommendations from the consultation will be consolidated into the final National Action Plan, which will serve as the national strategic framework for coordinated multisectoral action. The initiative aims to establish a resilient and coordinated framework for preventing, detecting, and responding to zoonotic threats through institutionalized collaboration across human health, animal health, wildlife, and environmental sectors, ultimately strengthening national health security and improving preparedness for future public health emergencies.