New Delhi, March 24 -- In a move to bolster the country's preparedness against biological threats, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, has launched the Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP). The initiative aims to provide early warnings and ensure prompt response to any bio-emergencies, including outbreaks and other public health crises (MoHFW).

To streamline crisis response, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been developed for effective management of such emergencies. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has also issued guidelines addressing biological disasters, including bio-warfare and bio-terrorism. These guidelines outline potential bio-agents, their key characteristic...