Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) Launched under National One Health Mission

Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI): Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) was launched to improve India’s readiness and ability to respond to animal pandemics, with particular attention to zoonotic diseases that can endanger the health of both animals and humans.

Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) in News

Recently, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala, launched two important initiatives-

• Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) and
• Animal Health System Support for One Health (AHSSOH) project, which is funded by the World Bank.

Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)

Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) was launched under the National One Health Mission and the event took place at India Habitat Center in New Delhi.

• Mandate: The main objective of the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) is to improve India’s readiness and ability to respond to animal pandemics, with particular attention to zoonotic diseases that can endanger the health of both animals and humans.
• Implementing Ministry: Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) will be implemented by Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, (DAHD) of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
• Focus Areas: Through the APPI initiative, there will be a focus on-
  • Enhancing veterinary services and infrastructure,
  • Bolstering disease surveillance capabilities,
  • Improving early detection and response mechanisms,
  • Building the capacity of animal health professionals, and
  • Increasing awareness among farmers through community outreach programs.

Key Activities under Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)

The following are the key activities under the APPI that are currently in various stages of execution:

• Defined joint investigation and outbreak response teams (National & state)
• Design an overall integrated disease surveillance system (built on National Digital Livestock Mission)
• Strengthening the Regulatory system (e.g., Nandi online portal and Field trial guidelines)
• Creating disease modelling algorithms and early warning systems
• Strategizing Disaster Mitigation with National Disaster Management Authority
• Initiate targeted R&D to develop vaccines/diagnostics/therapies for priority diseases
• Build genomic and environmental surveillance methods to improve the timeliness and sensitivity of disease detection

Need for Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative

India boasts a wide array of animal species, and the livestock industry plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy and food security. Nonetheless, we face potential risks from emerging and zoonotic diseases.

• By implementing the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative, we are taking a pre-emptive approach to safeguard our animal resources and guarantee the well-being and health of our citizens.
• With the reinforcement of our animal health systems and the implementation of the One Health approach, we can more effectively prevent and manage zoonotic diseases.
• These diseases not only affect the health and well-being of our animals but also carry notable economic ramifications and potential human health risks.

Scope of Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI)

The Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative (APPI) is an all-encompassing initiative aimed at addressing various aspects of disease prevention, control, and pandemic preparedness. Along with focusing on enablers such as funding and regulatory frameworks, IAPPI includes critical components such as-

• Integrated disease surveillance and monitoring,
• Early warning and response,
• Vaccine and diagnostics development and production, as well as
• Ecosystem coordination

Conclusion

Overall, the Animal Pandemic Preparedness Initiative aims to reduce the risk of pandemics originating in animals, protect animal and human health, and promote global health security.

Animal Health Summit 2022