Daily Current Affairs MCQ Dt.23.06.2025 for UPSC ,SSC, State PCS and competitive exam
1. Consider the following statements about groundwater extraction in...
Latest Update (June 2025)
- The ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, has been recognized as a ‘Category A’ Rinderpest holding facility by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
- This makes NIHSAD one of the few global laboratories authorized to safely hold Rinderpest virus-containing material (VCM) for research and preparedness.
What is Rinderpest?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Cattle Plague |
| Disease Type | Viral disease affecting cattle, buffaloes, and some wildlife |
| Symptoms | Fever, oral erosions, diarrhea, lymphoid necrosis, and high mortality |
| Global Eradication | Declared eradicated in 2011 by FAO & WOAH |
| Significance | Second disease globally eradicated, after Smallpox (in humans) |
Role of ICAR–NIHSAD
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| Biosafety Level | BSL-4 (High Containment) lab accredited to handle exotic animal pathogens |
| Mandate | Diagnostics, surveillance, research on transboundary & emerging animal diseases |
| Recent Recognition | ‘Category A’ Rinderpest VCM Holding Facility |
| National Role | Nodal institution for zoonotic and exotic animal disease containment in India |
Global Context of WOAH–FAO Recognition
- WOAH–FAO maintain a global list of approved VCM holding facilities post-eradication to ensure:
- No accidental release or bioterrorism
- Controlled access for research and vaccine development
- Preparedness in case of re-emergence
India’s recognition boosts global biosecurity efforts and reflects confidence in Indian bio-containment protocols
GS Paper Linkages
| GS Paper | Relevance |
|---|---|
| GS Paper II | International Institutions (WOAH, FAO), Global Cooperation |
| GS Paper III | Biosecurity, Animal Husbandry, Scientific Infrastructure |
| Essay | “Global health security: From eradication to surveillance |
Importance for India
- Strengthens India’s global standing in veterinary science and biosafety.
- Enhances capacity for emergency vaccine production if needed.
- Aligns with India’s leadership in One Health approach integrating human-animal-environment health.
- Supports India’s livestock sector (valued at ~₹10 lakh crore) by building disease resilience.
Practice Mains Question
“Highlight the importance of India’s recognition as a Category A Rinderpest facility in the context of biosecurity and livestock health.” (10/15 marks)
Way Forward
- Continue investments in zoonotic disease surveillance and early warning systems.
- Promote research collaboration with WOAH-FAO for emerging animal pathogens.
- Expand BSL-4 infrastructure to other agro-climatic zones for better regional preparedness.
- Integrate NIHSAD into India’s National One Health Mission for broader policy impact.
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