Animal Health Security Project

Source: This post on Animal Health Security Project has been created based on the article “Project to monitor animal health launched: its objectives, funding” published in Indian Express on 11th November 2024.

Why in news?

The central government launched the ‘Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response’ initiative.

About the Initiative

1. Launched by: Ministery of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying

2. Aim: The project aims to enhance monitoring of animal health to prevent future pandemics.

3. Objective: The primary goal is to strengthen animal health security in order to prepare for and respond to potential pandemics. As about two-thirds of infectious diseases affecting humans have animal origins, monitoring animal health becomes essential for pandemic preparedness.

4. Importance: The project emphasizes the need for greater attention to animal health as part of a broader strategy to safeguard public health from zoonotic diseases.

5. The project was approved by the Pandemic Fund and was created by G20 countries under Indonesian presidency in 2022.

6. Purpose: To support low- and middle-income countries in building their capacities to detect, report, and control potential future pandemics.

7. Implementing agency: Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It is expected to be completed by August 2026.

8. Key expected outcomes for the project:

i) Enhancement of laboratory systems and vaccine manufacturing facilities.

ii) Strengthening of surveillance and early warning systems.

iii) Development of human resources with improved capacity and competencies.

iv) Improvement of data systems, analytics, risk analysis, and risk communication.

v) Addressing institutional capacity gaps at both national and regional levels.

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