Commonground
Senior Moderator
Feb 10, 2026
The Indian Medical Council has launched a new pathogen detection tool. An AI-driven tool could predict the spread of serious diseases, and here is what you should know.
The main reason behind ICMR's initiative is to focus on the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health as a whole and make plans accordingly to deal with the fallout.
-snip-
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a new, technologically advanced tool to predict zoonotic diseases.Under the National One Health Mission, the research body plans to target environmental causes of diseases in humans, and make use of AI effectively to track their spread. This can prove especially helpful to predict future pandemics through the smart use of technology and offer solutions. The main reason behind ICMR's initiative is to focus on the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health as a whole and make plans accordingly to deal with the fallout.
There are various zoonotic diseases that spread in India, which emphasise the need for being prepared to deal with an outbreak. This move aims to shift the tone from reactive measures to predictive surveillance that can be implemented to integrate healthcare and environmental monitoring.
The Predictive AI Tool
The ICMR predictive AI system works by utilising specific genomes that need to be surveilled for each strain of viral and bacterial sources. In addition, it also processes big data and early warning signals from various regions and can offer specific advantages for authorities that can help them prepare in advance and avoid big disease outbreaks. According to the National Centre of Diseases and the Manual of Zoonotic Diseases of Public Health Importance, the following zoonotic diseases pose public health risks. And the predictive AI-tool filter out information based on the signs and symptoms they manifest, and even help with tracking the spread of these diseases.
Viral Diseases That Pose A Threat To The Public
-snip-
Continued: https://www.ndtv.com/health/india-d...launches-new-pathogen-detection-tool-10979663
The Indian Medical Council has launched a new pathogen detection tool. An AI-driven tool could predict the spread of serious diseases, and here is what you should know.
The main reason behind ICMR's initiative is to focus on the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health as a whole and make plans accordingly to deal with the fallout.
-snip-
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has launched a new, technologically advanced tool to predict zoonotic diseases.Under the National One Health Mission, the research body plans to target environmental causes of diseases in humans, and make use of AI effectively to track their spread. This can prove especially helpful to predict future pandemics through the smart use of technology and offer solutions. The main reason behind ICMR's initiative is to focus on the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health as a whole and make plans accordingly to deal with the fallout.
There are various zoonotic diseases that spread in India, which emphasise the need for being prepared to deal with an outbreak. This move aims to shift the tone from reactive measures to predictive surveillance that can be implemented to integrate healthcare and environmental monitoring.
The Predictive AI Tool
The ICMR predictive AI system works by utilising specific genomes that need to be surveilled for each strain of viral and bacterial sources. In addition, it also processes big data and early warning signals from various regions and can offer specific advantages for authorities that can help them prepare in advance and avoid big disease outbreaks. According to the National Centre of Diseases and the Manual of Zoonotic Diseases of Public Health Importance, the following zoonotic diseases pose public health risks. And the predictive AI-tool filter out information based on the signs and symptoms they manifest, and even help with tracking the spread of these diseases.
Viral Diseases That Pose A Threat To The Public
- Nipah Virus Disease - There were recurrent outbreaks in Kerala, and there is a high fatality rate for this disease.
- Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD) - It is endemic in Karnataka and neighbouring states and poses a significant threat as it can spread tick-borne haemorrhagic fever.
- Japanese Encephalitis (JE) - There are seasonal outbreaks in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Assam.
- Dengue and Chikungunya - The mosquito-borne illness is prevalent and gives widespread arboviral infections with a high transmission rate.
- Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) - There are sporadic outbreaks in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Zika Virus Disease - It was detected in Kerala and Maharashtra.
- Avian Influenza (H5N1, H5N8, H9N2) - The source is poultry-linked, with outbreaks that can spread if not curtailed.
- Rabies - There is a persistent burden, especially in rural areas.
- Mpox (Monkeypox) - This is an emerging zoonotic viral infection.
- Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2) - The multiple strains of this disease are of zoonotic origin, and it had a significant global impact.
-snip-
Continued: https://www.ndtv.com/health/india-d...launches-new-pathogen-detection-tool-10979663