As Ebola resurges in Central Africa, India's vulnerability to – and preparedness for – zoonotic spillovers demands urgent scrutiny. With diverse ecosystems and rapid urbanisation, India has witnessed major zoonotic outbreaks – Nipah, Kyasanur Forest Disease, H1N1, and COVID-19 – driven by habitat fragmentation, wildlife trafficking, and climate change.

Policy & Institutional Architecture

• The Union Cabinet approved the National One Health Mission in 2024, anchored by the National Institute of One Health and a cross-ministerial task force.
• It encompasses stronger surveillance, early warning systems, and integrated data across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

What the Mission Has Achieved

• Development of the Model Governance Framework to strengthen One Health governance mechanisms;
• Initiation of genomics and metagenomics-based surveillance networks for improved detection;
• Launch of surveillance initiatives at the human-animal-environment interface including in zoos, bird sanctuaries, and slaughterhouses; and
• Promotion of public awareness and youth engagement through initiatives such as the National One Health Assembly.

Pandemic Preparedness: Critical Gaps

• Weak public health infrastructure
• Shortage of trained healthcare workforce
• Low public health expenditure
• Uneven state capacities
• Poor rural healthcare access
• Urban-rural disparities
• Weak One Health integration
• Misinformation management

Summing Up