India plans study on detection of zoonotic diseases that could spill over from birds to the humans

New Delhi: India is set to begin an ambitious, inter-ministerial scientific study aimed at detecting zoonotic diseases that could spill over from birds to humans.

The first-of-its-kind study, ‘Building a surveillance model for detecting zoonotic spillover in increased bird-human interaction settings using the One Health approach: A study at selected bird sanctuaries and wetlands’, was launched at the Indian Council of Medical Research headquarters here on Friday.

This unique study will be conducted in select bird sanctuaries and wetlands across Sikkim, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, leveraging the One Health approach to monitor the health of

both human populations and migratory bird species, as well as the environment in which they coexist.

Speaking at the launch, ICMR Director General Dr Rajiv Bahl said, “A strong surveillance system is essential not just for timely and precise action, but also for early detection and containment of emerging health threats.

Scientific departments have a pivotal role in developing innovative tools and advancing research to strengthen these surveillance ‘radars’.

“The National One Health Mission (NOHM) exemplifies the government’s commitment to deploy cutting-edge science in real-world settings to anticipate and mitigate

public health risks. By embracing the One Health approach, we are shifting from reactive responses to proactive preparedness, an urgent global necessity.”

Dr Ranjan Das, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, said that it is imperative to understand the mechanisms and drivers responsible for zoonotic spillovers, so that timely and coordinated actions can be taken.

“This vital initiative aligns with our national strategy to detect, prevent and respond to zoonotic threats. Strengthening surveillance at the human-animal-environment interface will significantly enhance India’s preparedness for future outbreaks.”

Dr Sangeeta Aggarwal, Scientist F, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said, “This is a pioneering example of inter-ministerial cooperation on scientific surveillance,

essential for resilient health systems. Such collaborations are key to ensuring that our science translates into actionable policy.”

Sunil Sharma, Assistant Inspector General of Forest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said, “This collaborative effort reinforces our commitment to conserving biodiversity while protecting communities from

emerging health risks. Wildlife and ecosystem health are deeply intertwined with human well-being, and this study rightly addresses that balance. MoEFCC will

provide continuous support for this and other initiatives of One Health.”

With India being a vital hub along the Central Asian migratory bird flyway, bird sanctuaries represent an

interface where the risk of zoonotic transmission is heightened, the health ministry said in a statement.

Bird sanctuary workers, including rescue teams and veterinarians, are especially vulnerable due to their close proximity to wild and migratory birds. The interconnectedness of forest ecosystems, avian populations, and local human communities makes this an urgent area for surveillance, it said.

The study aims to develop a real-time surveillance model to detect and diagnose zoonotic diseases in bird sanctuary workers and nearby residents, the statement said.

It will involve periodic sampling of birds and environmental specimens to screen for emerging pathogens, utilising advanced diagnostic tools like Next Generation Sequencing for the early identification of novel infections.