News: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) conducted Pashujanya Yudh Abhyas (PYA), a 5-day national mock drill in Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh.

About

• A national-level mock drill conducted under the National One Health Mission.
• It tests India's preparedness and response to animal health emergencies and zoonotic disease outbreaks.

Objective

• Strengthen early detection, containment, and response to zoonotic diseases.
• Improve coordination among animal, human, and environmental health sectors under the One Health approach.

Key Highlights

• Simulated an Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak with possible transmission from animals to humans.
• Tested the entire outbreak response chain: Surveillance, Early warning, Laboratory diagnosis, Biosecurity, Containment, Public communication

Participating Agencies

• Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD)
• Indian Council of Agricultural Research
• Indian Council of Medical Research
• National Centre for Disease Control
• National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases
• All India Institute of Medical Sciences Bhopal
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• State governments and district administration.

Significance

• Strengthens One Health preparedness.
• Improves coordination between veterinary, public health, wildlife, and environmental agencies.
• Helps identify operational gaps and improve emergency response protocols.
• Builds resilience against emerging zoonotic diseases.