Enhancements in Indian Animal Health Discussed: Important Reforms, Vaccination Advancements, and Global Recognition Evaluated at Ninth ECAH Conference
India is taking a proactive approach to combat Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in its animal population. This comprehensive strategy involves national disease control programmes, institutional capacity building, and apex advisory committees.
The core of India's FMD control strategy is the National Disease Control Programme. This programme aims to vaccinate susceptible animals such as cattle and buffaloes twice a year. Intensive vaccination drives are carried out at the district level, with mobile teams deployed as seen in Prayagraj where 12.25 lakh vaccine doses were recently administered [2].
Surveillance and rapid response mechanisms for outbreaks in both domestic and wild animal populations are also crucial. For instance, after an FMD outbreak causing deer deaths in Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, national institutes confirmed the diagnosis, and precautionary measures were successfully implemented to control the situation [3].
Institutional capacity enhancements are another key component. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research - National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD) in Bhopal has been recognised as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility by both the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), a distinction shared by only six institutions worldwide [1].
The Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH), established in 2021, acts as the apex think tank advising the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) on animal disease control, emerging threats, regulatory issues, and One Health initiatives [1].
Regarding AMR in animal health, the current policy framework adopts a One Health approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health to monitor and control the use of antibiotics and other antimicrobials in veterinary practice. The ECAH provides strategic guidance on regulatory issues concerning veterinary pharmaceuticals and biologicals, including measures to prevent misuse of antibiotics and promote rational usage [1].
Though specific details on AMR control measures in animals from the recent search results are limited, the government’s focus on surveillance, laboratory strengthening, and policy guidance indicates ongoing initiatives aligned with global AMR action plans.
Two national laboratory networks have been established: the Indian Network of Genomic Surveillance (INGeS) and the Indian Network on Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) and Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) to boost pandemic preparedness.
Moreover, laboratories in Hisar and Lucknow have received international recognition for their specialized diagnostic capabilities.
This article was first published on July 25, 2025, at 7:10 IST.
References: [1] The 9th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) was held in New Delhi on July 24, 2025. [2] Over 124 crore doses of the FMD vaccine have been administered, along with nearly 29 crore PPR vaccine doses, 4.77 crore for Brucellosis, and close to 88 lakh for Classical Swine Fever. [3] After an FMD outbreak causing deer deaths in Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, national institutes confirmed the diagnosis, and precautionary measures were implemented successfully to control the situation.
The National Disease Control Programme, a primary component of India's strategy against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), aims to vaccinate susceptible animals like cattle and buffaloes twice a year.
In the realm of health-and-wellness and policy-and-legislation, the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) plays a significant role, providing strategic guidance on regulatory issues concerning veterinary pharmaceuticals and biologicals, including measures to prevent misuse of antibiotics and promote rational usage, particularly in the context of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in animal health.
