India has secured a prestigious position in global animal health with the designation of the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The recognition was The achievement highlights India’s commitment to international disease control standards and reinforces its pivotal role in safeguarding global animal health.
At the 92nd General Session of WOAH in Paris on May 29, 2025, where Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) and India’s WOAH Delegate, received the certificate from WOAH’s Director General.
Rinderpest, historically known as “cattle plague,” was a devastating livestock disease eradicated globally in 2011. To prevent its re-emergence, WOAH and FAO restrict the storage of Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM) to a select few high-security laboratories worldwide. ICAR-NIHSAD, a Biosafety Level-3 (BSL-3) facility and WOAH reference laboratory for avian influenza, was designated as India’s RVCM repository in 2012. Following a rigorous evaluation in March 2025 by international experts, the institute earned Category A RHF status for one year, affirming its robust biosafety measures, effective inventory management, and preparedness for emergencies.
This milestone places India among an elite group of six global facilities tasked with securely managing rinderpest virus material, underscoring the nation’s leadership in animal health, biosecurity, and the One Health framework. “India’s role in eradicating rinderpest was historic, and today, preserving that legacy is equally critical. This recognition reflects our responsibility and readiness,” said Ms. Alka Upadhyaya. The international committee also urged India to pursue Category B designation by focusing on vaccine seed material, further strengthening its global standing.
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