Overview
Under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), a large-scale mock drill titled “Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas” was conducted in Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh from November 2–5, 2025. The exercise aimed to assess India’s pandemic preparedness and intersectoral coordination in managing zoonotic disease outbreaks. Led by the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), the drill simulated an outbreak of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever affecting both humans and animals, testing real-time investigation, pathogen identification, and containment strategies.
Key Objectives
- To evaluate India's readiness for pandemic response.
- To enhance coordination between different sectors in managing zoonotic disease outbreaks.
- To test real-time investigation and containment strategies.
Key Developments
Stakeholder Collaboration
The mock drill brought together a wide array of stakeholders including:
- The Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India
- National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune
- Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
- Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) along with High Security Animal Husbandry Laboratory at Bhopal (NIHSAD)
- Madhya Pradesh State and District Administration
- State IDSP, State Veterinary and Forest Department
- BSL-3 laboratory at AIIMS Bhopal (one of the 23 National BSL-3 Network Laboratories)
- Chief District Medical Officer and other relevant District Officers
Expert Involvement
Experts from human health, veterinary sciences, and wildlife sectors collaborated under NJORT’s guidance. Independent observers from NOHM meticulously documented the response, noting prompt and appropriate actions while also identifying areas for improvement.
Ministerial Applaud
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri J.P. Nadda lauded the successful execution of the drill, stating, “Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas’ has shown us that with preparedness, collaboration, and a One Health approach, we can effectively respond to pandemics.” He emphasized the need for continued synergy among all stakeholders to safeguard Bharat and the world from infectious disease threats. This marks the second such mock drill under NOHM, following the earlier Avian Influenza simulation in Rajasthan, reinforcing India’s commitment to proactive and integrated health security.
Exam Relevance
GS Paper 2: Health
This event is relevant to GS Paper 2, specifically concerning health, government policies, and intersectoral coordination. The National One Health Mission (NOHM) is a key initiative that aligns with the syllabus requirements for understanding government interventions for health development.
GS Paper 3: Environment
The mock drill's focus on zoonotic diseases and the involvement of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) make it relevant to GS Paper 3, particularly concerning environment and biodiversity conservation.
Key Terms for UPSC
- One Health: A collaborative, multisectoral, and transdisciplinary approach to achieving optimal health outcomes recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment.
- Zoonotic Disease: A disease that can be transmitted to humans from animals. Understanding and managing these diseases is crucial for public health.
- NOHM: National One Health Mission - A government initiative to integrate human, animal, and environmental health for better disease management and prevention.
- NJORT: National Joint Outbreak Response Team - A team responsible for leading and coordinating responses to disease outbreaks, involving experts from various sectors.
- BSL-3: Biosafety Level 3 - A level of biosafety precautions required for handling dangerous and exotic microorganisms. Important for lab infrastructure.