NIHSAD Bhopal Named Category A Rinderpest Facility by WOAH & FAO

The National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD),Bhopal has been granted Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility status for one year. The recognition to  NIHSAD was granted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).

The NIHSAD was granted the certificate of recognition during the 92nd General Session of the WOAH held in Paris,France on 29th May 2025. 183 member countries of the WOAH  attended the meeting in Paris.

About the Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility

Rinderpest is a contagious viral disease that infected cloven-hoofed animals (mainly cattle and buffalo).

It had an almost 100 % mortality rate and was once called the Cattle Plague.

In 2011, the disease was totally eliminated and Rinderpest is the first animal disease to be eradicated from earth. 

However, for research purposes, the Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material is kept at few laboratories in the world. 

The NIHSAD has become one of the few laboratories in the world to maintain Rinderpest Virus-Containing Material for one year.

About NIHSAD 

The National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD) is a research institution of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

• It is the premier research and  development center of the country on exotic and emerging pathogens of animals.
• The NISHAD was earlier High Security Animal Disease Laboratory (HSADL),of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar.
• In 2014 it was renamed as National Institute of High Security Animal Disease (NIHSAD).
• NISHAD is also a World Health Organization accredited laboratory for Avian influenza. All samples regarding bird flu, nipah virus etc are sent to NIHSAD.

Headquarters- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) was set up as Office International des Epizooties (OIE) in1924.

In 2003 its name was changed to World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

• It was created to deal with the aftermath of the deadly Rinderpest disease that was creating havoc around the world.
• It is an intergovernmental organisation that plays a crucial role in coordinating global response to animal health emergencies, the prevention of zoonotic diseases.
• It also works for the promotion of animal health and welfare, and for better access to animal health care. 

Headquarters - Paris, France 

Members -183 countries