What is Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas?

September 4, 2024

India recently conducted its first comprehensive national mock drill called “Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas” from August 27 to 31, 2024, to address the growing threat of zoonotic diseases. Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can be passed from animals to humans. This exercise was initiated under the National One Health Mission (NOHM) and aimed to evaluate how prepared the country is to handle such outbreaks.

Objective of the Exercise

The main goal of this exercise was to test how well India could respond to a simulated outbreak of a zoonotic disease. The drill focused on ensuring that there was a coordinated effort across different sectors, including human health, animal husbandry, and wildlife management. This approach is important because zoonotic diseases can spread through multiple channels, so a unified response is necessary to control them effectively.

Who Participated in the Drill?

The drill involved various organizations and departments working together, including:

National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
State and District Health and Veterinary Services

These organizations played different roles, from identifying the disease to implementing control measures.

Key Components of the Drill

The exercise had two main parts:

Investigation and Identification: Teams worked to identify the mock virus that was causing the outbreak.

Control Measures: After identifying the virus, the next step was to take action to prevent it from spreading among both human and animal populations.

How was the Drill Evaluated?

Independent observers were present to monitor how well the teams performed. Overall, the response from the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) and other involved groups was timely and appropriate. However, the exercise also revealed some areas where improvements are needed.

The Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas was considered a successful exercise, providing valuable lessons that will help improve India’s preparedness for future zoonotic disease outbreaks. The National One Health Mission aims to ensure that different sectors work together effectively to protect public health and the environment, making India better equipped to handle such crises.

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