Key Details
The June 2026 edition of Vigyan Dhara: Sarvasya Aarogyam outlines progress in implementing the National One Health Mission (NOHM), highlighting governance structures, laboratory networks, digital systems and state-level initiatives designed to strengthen India’s preparedness for zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and climate-linked health risks.
Key Area | Details |
|---|---|
Core Theme | Implementation of the National One Health Mission in India |
Main Idea | Human, animal and environmental health are interconnected and require coordinated action |
National Milestone | The National One Health Mission received Union Cabinet approval in 2024 |
State Engagement | More than 27 States and UTs participated in the first State and UT Engagement Workshop in June 2025 |
Laboratory Capacity | National BSL-3/4 Lab Network notified with 22 high-containment laboratories |
Digital Platform | First phase of the One Health Information Portal launched |
State Examples | Karnataka, Telangana, Jammu & Kashmir, Meghalaya and Kerala demonstrate different implementation models |
Summary
Why One Health Matters
The report argues that many contemporary health challenges cannot be addressed through the health sector alone. Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), food-system risks, environmental degradation and climate-linked disease outbreaks often emerge through interactions between humans, animals and ecosystems.
According to the report, nearly 75% of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, making coordinated surveillance across sectors an important component of public health preparedness.
National One Health Mission Enters Implementation
India’s National One Health Mission has moved from planning to implementation. Led by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, the Mission brings together ministries, scientific institutions, state governments and sectoral agencies working across health, animal husbandry, agriculture, biotechnology, wildlife, environment and research.
Its focus areas include integrated disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, pandemic response, medical countermeasures, data sharing and long-term prevention of emerging health threats.
Governance, Laboratory Capacity and Preparedness
The report highlights a structured governance framework comprising an Executive Committee, Scientific Steering Committee, Advisory and Review Committees, and thematic working groups.
To strengthen scientific preparedness, India has notified a National BSL-3/4 Laboratory Network of 22 high-containment laboratories. The network is intended to support pathogen research, genomic surveillance, disease diagnosis and outbreak response.
The report also notes the launch of the first phase of the One Health Information Portal, which aims to track initiatives and improve coordination across sectors and states.
Preparedness exercises have become an important component of implementation. Mock drills such as Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas were conducted to test multi-sector coordination and validate the National Joint Outbreak Response Team model.
State-Level Models Are Emerging
The report highlights several examples of how states are adapting the One Health approach to local conditions and disease profiles.
Karnataka reported 223 outbreaks in 2024 through the Integrated Health Information Platform and has expanded its notifiable disease framework to include human rabies and snakebite. The state has also strengthened public engagement through disease and snakebite helplines.
Telangana, the fifth state to adopt the National One Health Programme for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, identified rabies and leptospirosis as priority concerns. The report notes that the state recorded approximately 1.21 lakh dog-bite cases in 2024, highlighting the scale of zoonotic disease management challenges.
Jammu & Kashmir has established district and Union Territory-level governance mechanisms for zoonotic and climate-sensitive diseases, linking One Health with broader climate-health planning initiatives.
Meghalaya has used climate, land-use and disease data to predict scrub typhus outbreaks 2–4 weeks in advance with around 80% accuracy. The state is also working on geospatial disease mapping, laboratory strengthening and community-based surveillance systems.
Kerala, drawing on lessons from Nipah virus outbreaks and COVID-19, has developed a community-oriented One Health model involving local governments, volunteers and multiple line departments. What began in four districts is now being expanded across the state.
From Disease Control to Health Security
A recurring theme across the report is the shift from isolated disease-control programmes towards integrated health-security systems. The Mission seeks to connect surveillance, laboratory infrastructure, animal-health systems, environmental monitoring and public-health institutions through a coordinated framework that can detect risks earlier and improve preparedness before outbreaks occur.
What Is a BSL-3/4 Laboratory Network?
BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories are specialised high-containment facilities designed to safely study dangerous pathogens that can cause serious disease. A national laboratory network allows countries to strengthen disease surveillance, conduct advanced pathogen research, support genomic monitoring and improve outbreak response capabilities while maintaining strict biosafety standards.
Policy Relevance
Strengthens pandemic preparedness by linking surveillance, laboratory systems and outbreak response across sectors.
Improves coordination across ministries and states, helping reduce long-standing institutional silos during health emergencies.
Expands scientific and laboratory capacity through a national network of high-containment laboratories and enhanced research infrastructure.
Supports state-specific health planning, allowing local governments to adapt interventions to region-specific disease and environmental risks.
Addresses antimicrobial resistance and emerging zoonotic threats through integrated monitoring of human, animal and environmental health systems.
Follow the Full Report Here: June 2026 edition of Vigyan Dhara: Sarvasya Aarogyam