India strengthens pandemic preparedness with a "One Health" approach and robust surveillance systems

Learning hard lessons from the COVID-19 crisis, India is aggressively strengthening its defenses against future health threats. The government is adopting a "One Health" strategy, which recognizes that human health is deeply connected to the health of animals and the environment. This holistic approach is critical because many dangerous viruses, like SARS-CoV-2, jump from animals to humans. By monitoring disease outbreaks in wildlife and livestock alongside human cases, officials aim to spot potential pandemics before they spread.

To support this, India is upgrading its disease surveillance systems, investing in advanced labs, and improving data sharing between states. The focus is on creating a responsive network that can detect unusual health patterns early and trigger a rapid response. This shift moves the country from a reactive stance—scrambling after an outbreak hits—to a proactive one. By building a robust infrastructure that integrates human, animal, and environmental data, India aims to stop the next global health crisis at its source.

Read the original article at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/healthcare/gearing-up-for-future-strengthening-indias-pandemic-preparedness-and-response/articleshow/97135803.cms


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