India has taken a pioneering step by initiating a unique scientific study involving multiple ministries to track zoonotic disease transfer from birds to humans and advance its prevention. This initiative is unique, coordinated, and integrative around the interrelationship between human, avian, and environmental health.
Titled "Developing a Surveillance Framework for Early Detection of Zoonotic Spillover in Bird-Human Interface Areas Using the One Health Strategy", the study was unveiled at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) headquarters. The research will be conducted in selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands spread across Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Sikkim. The approach will be based on the One Health framework, placing emphasis on how people, animals and their environment are interconnected.
Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of ICMR and Secretary of the Department of Health Research, emphasized the significance of this project by stating, “To protect populations from emerging health risks, effective surveillance networks are just as important as radar systems for early detection. Through innovation and scientific collaboration, we aim to build a robust system that can be scaled for national health programs. The National One Health Mission embodies our dedication to harnessing science for proactive public health preparedness.”
Dr. Ranjan Das, who heads the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), stressed the need to understand the factors that lead to disease transmission between animals and humans. “Strengthening surveillance at the human-animal-environment crossroads will be instrumental in boosting India’s readiness to manage future outbreaks,” he said, expressing strong support for the initiative.
Adding to the conversation, Dr. Sangeeta Aggarwal, Scientist F from the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government, highlighted that this project sets a precedent for cross-ministerial scientific cooperation. “Bringing together diverse scientific efforts is crucial to translating research into meaningful health policies,” she said.
Mr. Sunil Sharma, Assistant Inspector General of Forests at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), emphasized the dual benefits of the project. “This collaboration not only helps conserve biodiversity but also shields local communities from health risks tied to wildlife. Ecosystem and human health are closely linked, and this project captures that dynamic perfectly,” he stated, confirming the MoEFCC’s full support.
Given India's critical position along the Central Asian migratory bird route, bird sanctuaries serve as significant points where interactions between humans and birds are intensified—thereby increasing the potential for disease spillover. Personnel such as sanctuary personnel, veterinary personnel, and rescue personnel are particularly at risk because of close contact with migratory and wild birds.
Each sanctuary will be dated, and birds and environmental materials will be systematically sampled in and around these sanctuaries when the study occurs. Advanced techniques, including Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), will be used to detect unknown or emerging pathogens in real-time. The ultimate goal is to create a surveillance model that can function as an early warning system for zoonotic diseases among people working or living near these biodiverse areas.
This multi-ministerial endeavour brings together the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Ministry of Agriculture has taken an important step toward enabling India to predict and respond to public health emergencies. This will be instrumental in utilizing wildlife biology, environmental monitoring and medical science to promote ecological and human health.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Sai Sindhuja K/MSM)
