ICAR-NIHSAD recognized as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF)

India has earned a prestigious global distinction with the designation of the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD), Bhopal, 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.

Key Highlights:

• Awarded at: WOAH’s 92nd General Session in Paris on May 29, 2025.
• India’s Recognition: The certificate was presented to India’s WOAH Delegate by the WOAH Director General.
• Rinderpest:
  • Also known as “cattle plague”, it was a highly contagious and deadly livestock disease.
  • Eradicated globally in 2011, becoming the second infectious disease (after smallpox) to be eradicated.

About ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal:

• Designated RVCM Repository: Since 2012, for storing Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material (RVCM).
• BSL-3 Facility: High-security infrastructure; also a WOAH reference lab for avian influenza.
• 2025 Evaluation: Assessed by international experts in March 2025 and granted Category A RHF status for one year.
• Core Strengths:
  • Robust biosafety measures.
  • Effective inventory control.
  • High emergency preparedness.

Global Significance:

• India now joins an elite group of six international facilities allowed to securely manage RVCM.
• Strengthens India’s position in biosecurity, veterinary science, and the One Health framework—linking animal, human, and environmental health.