Uttar Pradesh Enhances One Health Systems to Combat Zoonotic Diseases

The Uttar Pradesh Animal Husbandry Department has announced a series of measures to bolster its capacity for early detection and reporting of zoonotic diseases, alongside efforts to improve surveillance, laboratory capabilities, and outbreak preparedness. The initiatives, unveiled on Sunday, include the development of a new compendium for veterinarians and the adoption of advanced diagnostic techniques like ELISA-based testing for priority zoonotic diseases.

Focus on Knowledge and Early Detection

The newly developed Compendium for Veterinarians on Zoonotic & Priority Animal Diseases aims to enhance the expertise of field veterinarians. It provides standardized case definitions, surveillance protocols, and guidelines for timely disease reporting. This effort is part of the state’s broader push to strengthen its diagnostic and response systems for zoonotic and other critical animal diseases.

According to Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Additional Chief Secretary of the Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Department, these measures are essential to addressing emerging zoonotic threats and spillover risks. “We are focused on multisectoral strategies for disease prevention,” Meshram told The Hindu.

Surveillance at Wetlands and Farm-Level Biosecurity

Under the RISE Global Health Security (RISE GHS) Project, the department has already conducted active surveillance for avian influenza among wild migratory birds at 19 Ramsar and other key wetland sites across the state. During the previous migratory season, over 1,100 samples were collected and tested at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) in Bareilly. Building on this success, similar surveillance activities are planned for the upcoming migratory bird season.

Additionally, efforts to strengthen farm-level biosecurity are underway in Pilibhit and Gorakhpur districts. These initiatives focus on improved disease prevention and infection control practices, which are critical to reducing the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Training and Interdepartmental Coordination

To further enhance its One Health approach, the state will conduct a State-Level Training of Trainers (ToT) programme for government veterinarians. This initiative aims to foster coordinated interdepartmental action, integrating data sharing and outbreak response mechanisms across sectors. The One Health framework emphasizes collaboration between human, animal, and environmental health systems to tackle zoonotic and other health threats effectively.

Why It Matters

Zoonotic diseases, which can spread between animals and humans, pose a growing threat due to factors like habitat encroachment, climate change, and increased human-animal interactions. Uttar Pradesh’s proactive measures, including advanced diagnostics, surveillance, and interdepartmental coordination, reflect a strategic shift toward preventing and managing such risks.

By prioritizing early detection and a multisectoral approach, the state aims to safeguard both public and animal health, setting an example for integrated health management systems in India.

Source: The Hindu