Empowering India’s Future: Government Unites with Private Sector and Academia to Build a Revolutionary AI Pandemic Warning System

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is spearheading a transformative initiative under the National One Health Mission (NOHM) that pivots from reactive reporting to proactive surveillance. This ambitious project aims to tackle an extensive range of health threats, including notable pathogens like the Nipah virus, Zika virus, Avian Influenza (H5N1), and Kyasanur Forest Disease, commonly known as monkey fever.

India’s public health landscape faces increasing challenges, as evidenced by the 41 reported bird flu outbreaks across 10 states in 2025, which impacted poultry, wild birds, and even mammals such as tigers. Alarmingly, these outbreaks have resulted in two human fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for the ICMR’s new artificial intelligence (AI) mission. This mission seeks to enhance integrated surveillance and avert localized outbreaks from escalating into global pandemics.

The newly developed system is designed for early signal detection and offers real-time decision support, aiming to nip potential outbreaks in the bud. By employing advanced data analytics, the initiative will leverage predictive modeling, automated disease monitoring, and coordinated rapid responses to enhance public health readiness.

To facilitate this ambitious endeavor, the government is investing in both digital and physical infrastructure aimed at managing detailed health data. The Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP) provides an almost real-time reporting system that spans all 36 states and Union Territories. Additionally, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has constructed a nationwide digital health ecosystem that harmonizes various health programs, enabling digitized records that can be employed for predictive analytics and swift intervention.

This initiative recognizes that the rise of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases originating from animals, coupled with climate change-related health risks, presents significant challenges for global public health. By utilizing cutting-edge AI and data analytics, the National One Health Mission aspires to enhance disease surveillance in a more integrated manner.

“This approach is designed to catch pathogens at their source-whether in humans, animals, or the environment-before they can spread widely,” said a senior ICMR scientist who requested anonymity. This integrated One Health approach is keen on identifying ‘early signals’ by examining unusual patterns across the sectors of human, animal, and environmental health, thereby mitigating public alarm.

The ICMR is now inviting Expressions of Interest (EoI) from a diverse range of organizations, including academic institutions, professional bodies, universities, and NGOs. These entities will play a crucial role in developing AI-enabled tools that can detect early signals of novel pathogens across the three sectors of the One Health framework.

The project’s scope is extensive, requiring participating organizations to not just design the tools but also integrate these AI solutions for end-user application, along with conducting evaluations throughout the development phases. The NOHM will provide essential research and development funding to ensure that the technology is validated and capable of scaling to meet the nation’s needs.

In contrast to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), which has incorporated AI in various capacities, the ICMR’s initiative is tailored to prioritize primary detection. “Unlike the existing human-centric reporting systems, this mission amalgamates data across human, animal, and environmental sectors to identify zoonotic spillovers early,” the ICMR scientist explained.

Dr. Kunal Sharma, VP of Integrated Oncopathology and AI Initiatives at Agilus Diagnostics, highlighted the role of AI in reinforcing disease surveillance. “AI transforms disparate signals into actionable early warnings, identifying unusual patterns like fever clusters and livestock fatalities earlier than manual systems can. Predictive models help forecast potential outbreak spread, while automated dashboards enhance decision-making regarding testing and resource allocation.”

AI also promises to minimize reporting delays and improve consistency, prioritizing high-risk areas for field investigation. “When applied responsibly and with robust data quality safeguards, AI can be a game changer for public health, helping to prevent local outbreaks from escalating into pandemics.”

Original Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/artificial-intelligence-zoonotic-diseases-pandemics-public-health-11770376387466.html
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Publish Date: 2026-02-08 10:35:00