Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas: Madhya Pradesh Hosts National Mock Drill to Strengthen Pandemic Preparedness
Multi-Sectoral Collaboration Anchors the One Health Response
Union Health Minister Shri J P Nadda applauds the exercise; calls for strengthened One Health synergy
Posted on: 19 NOV 2025 6:01 PM by PIB Delhi
Under the National One Health Mission (NOHM), a large-scale mock drill titled “Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas” was conducted in Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh from November 2–5, 2025. The exercise aimed to assess India’s pandemic preparedness and intersectoral coordination in managing zoonotic disease outbreaks. Led by the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT), the drill simulated an outbreak of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever affecting both humans and animals, testing real-time investigation, pathogen identification, and containment strategies.
Stakeholders and Institutional Participation
The mock drill brought together a wide array of stakeholders including the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research along with the High Security Animal Husbandry Laboratory at Bhopal (NIHSAD), Madhya Pradesh State and District Administration, State IDSP, the State Veterinary and Forest Department, the BSL-3 laboratory at AIIMS Bhopal (one of the 23 National BSL-3 Network Laboratories), the Chief District Medical Officer, and other relevant District Officers. Experts from human health, veterinary sciences, and wildlife sectors collaborated under NJORT’s guidance. Independent observers from NOHM meticulously documented the response, noting prompt and appropriate actions while also identifying areas for improvement.
Ministerial Reaction and Way Forward
Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri J.P. Nadda lauded the successful execution of the drill, stating that “‘Vishanu Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas’ has shown us that with preparedness, collaboration, and a One Health approach, we can effectively respond to pandemics.” He emphasized the need for continued synergy among all stakeholders to safeguard Bharat and the world from infectious disease threats.
This marks the second such mock drill under NOHM, following the earlier Avian Influenza simulation in Rajasthan, reinforcing India’s commitment to proactive and integrated health security.