Should India Adopt a Stronger One Health Approach to Prepare for Future Pandemics?
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Synopsis
Dr. Rajiv Bahl advocates for a proactive One Health strategy to address future pandemics at VIROCON 2025, emphasizing collaboration among disciplines for effective preparedness and innovation against viral threats. Discover the insights shared at this influential conference.
Key Takeaways
- Need for a robust One Health approach to combat future pandemics.
- Collaboration across disciplines is essential for effective pandemic preparedness.
- Emerging viral threats require ongoing research and innovation.
- A commitment to public health readiness was evident at VIROCON 2025.
- Over 650 experts participated, showcasing global collaboration.
New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) Dr. Rajiv Bahl, the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Secretary of the Department of Health Research (DHR), emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive One Health strategy and proactive measures to tackle future pandemics.
He made these remarks during his address at VIROCON 2025, a three-day international conference recently hosted by the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, in partnership with the NIV Research Foundation and the Indian Virological Society (IVS).
The conference, titled “Changing Landscapes in Human, Animal and Plant Viruses: Bridging Basic Science, Innovation and Public Health,” convened experts to discuss new viral threats and advancements in virology.
“VIROCON serves as an essential platform where academia, national institutions, the National Institute of Virology, and industry collaborate to discuss surveillance and the development of countermeasures, ensuring we are better equipped for any future outbreaks or pandemics,” stated Bahl.
“Historically, the majority of pandemics over the last century have been viral and zoonotic, highlighting the critical need for a coordinated One Health approach,” he added, advocating for the formulation of effective strategies for pandemic preparedness.
VIROCON 2025 demonstrated a strong dedication to enhancing viral research, promoting collaboration, and fortifying public health readiness.
The conference highlighted emerging viral threats, breakthroughs in virology research, and the readiness for pandemics.
Over 650 participants attended the event, including scientists, healthcare professionals, public health authorities, industry collaborators, and students from both India and abroad.
Representatives from four nations—the United States, Canada, Thailand, and India—were present, along with delegates from prestigious Indian institutions such as IISc, IISERs, IITs, Central Universities, ICAR, ICMR, DRDO, DBT, CSIR, and various State Universities.
Scientific discussions were organized across three primary focus areas: One Health and pandemic preparedness, countermeasure development, and fundamental virology, featuring 13 keynote addresses, 44 lead presentations, 154 oral talks, and 251 poster exhibits.
Numerous prestigious awards were conferred, including the IVS Oration Awards 2025 and IVS Young Scientist Awards, alongside accolades for oral and poster presentations at VIROCON 2025.
Point of View
It is evident that Dr. Rajiv Bahl's emphasis on a comprehensive One Health strategy is vital for India's future health security. The collaborative efforts showcased at VIROCON 2025 reflect a national commitment to proactive pandemic preparedness, which is crucial for safeguarding public health.
NationPress
17/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the One Health approach?
The One Health approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, promoting collaborative efforts to address health threats at the interface of these domains.
Why is pandemic preparedness important?
Pandemic preparedness is essential to protect public health, minimize economic disruption, and ensure effective responses to emerging infectious diseases.
Who attended VIROCON 2025?
The conference attracted over 650 participants, including scientists, public health experts, industry representatives, and students from various countries.
