India Named Rinderpest Holding Facility by Global Health Body

The success of India in relation to animal health globally is observed with the declaration of the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) at Bhopal as Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF). The award, presented at the 92 nd General Session of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in Paris, demonstrates the strategic role of India in biosecurity and animal health by the virtue of its signing of commitments to control and prevent diseases.

Context

• The designation of ICAR-NIHSAD as a Rinderpest Holding Facility has made India an active participant in the world wide case to control and contain animal diseases. 

• The recognition is after thorough checks and it serves to show that the country is keen on upholding the most appropriate biosafety standards in animal health.

Key Points:

Rinderpest Overview:

• Highly Contagious Disease: Rinderpest, or also called cattle plague, is a viral disease affecting ruminants especially cattle and has in the past led to heavy loss of livestock as well as imminent threats to food security.

• Eradication worldwide: In 2011 the disease was eradicated everywhere, thanks to the Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme started by the FAO in 1994.

Significance of Rinderpest holding facilities (RHF):

• Critical Role: Rinderpest virus containing material (RVCM) is stored at RHFs strictly following the world standards to stop potential outbreaks.

• Minor Infrastructure: RVCM can only be stored in a few high-security laboratories of the world, guaranteeing international biological safety.

ICAR-NIHSAD’s Role:

• National Repository ICAR-NIHSAD has been the national repository of RVCM since 2012 in India.

• High-Security Facility: It is a BSL-3 facility, also a reference laboratory of the avian influenza.

• RHF App: India requested enrolment as RHF in 2019 and following an inspection by international experts in 2025, it was granted the status.

Global Significance:

• Global Leadership: RHF India now becomes a member of a six facility exclusive club in the globe.

• Standards Commitment: This status cements India commitment to standards in the global health and biosecurity of animals.

Future Prospects:

• Involvement in Vaccine Development: WOAH committee has urged India to be involved in a vaccine seed material and in future it can even become a Category B status.

• The ongoing efforts of India: The accreditation of ICAR-NIHSAD indicates that India has been in operation to secure international animal health and participate in the international animal disease control activities.

• Biosafety and Biosecurity: RHF status is essential in enhancing the contribution of India to the establishment of the containment of the animal disease and security of livestock in the world.

• Global Cooperation: India had the same tag as the rest of the world cooperating in maintaining high levels of biosecurity in order to ensure that the Rinderpest does not ever resurface.

Conclusion

As an example, the designation of India as a Rinderpest Holding Facility shows its burgeoning animal health and biosecurity leadership in fewer locations. Being able to meet the International standards of disease containment, ICAR-NIHSAD contributes a lot in securing the safety of the livestock as well as the prevention of the outbreak of diseases that would affect the global food security. The award also presents a future path leading to new developments in the field of vaccines and international partnerships in the management of animal health.