India Gets Global Recognition For Animal Disease Safety

India has recently emerged and reached a great position globally in protecting animal health and global biosecurity. The ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal has been officially recognised as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

This comes after the announcement was made public on May 29, 2025, during the General Session of WOAH held in Paris, Ms. Alka Upadhyaya (Secretary of India’s Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying) accepted the official certificate while representing India.

Rinderpest, usually called “cattle plague,” was a deadly disease that was responsible for the death of large numbers of cattle in the past. Thanks to a massive global effort, the disease was completely eradicated by 2011 which was one of the biggest achievements in human history. However, the virus that is responsible for rinderpest (RVCM – Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material) still exists in a few laboratories around the world. If by some human mistake or by any means this material is again accidentally released, it could bring back the disease. That is the reason why only a few topmost-security labs are allowed to store it and now, India’s NIHSAD is one of them.

India has been given a big responsibility by WOAH and FAO. They have chosen the NIHSAD lab which is in Bhopal as one of the safest places in the world to store the dangerous rinderpest virus, which once caused a deadly disease in cattle. The virus was completely removed by 2011, but small samples were still kept in labs. If released, it could cause serious problems again. That’s why only a few labs are allowed to keep it. After an inspection in March 2025, India’s lab was approved as a Category A facility for one year. Now, it is one of only six labs worldwide with this role.

This shows that India is trusted globally for following strong safety rules and for being ready to respond to emergencies. India also played a major role in ending rinderpest and continues to help protect the world from its return. “India’s role in the eradication of rinderpest was historic. Today, its role in preserving that legacy is equally vital. This recognition is not just about containment; it is about responsibility and readiness” remarked Ms. Alka Upadhyaya. The committee also suggested that India should do more research work on vaccines. This will help in strengthening the chance of being uplifted to Category B status in the future.