A comprehensive mock drill 'Vishanu Yuddh Abhyas' (Virus War Exercise) was conducted in Rajasthan's Ajmer district from August 27 to August 31 to assess pandemic preparedness. Conducted under the aegis of the National One Health Mission (NOHM), this exercise aimed to evaluate the readiness and response of the National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) composed of experts from human health, animal husbandry and wildlife sectors, a health ministry statement said.

A mock zoonotic disease outbreak scenario was created to simulate a real-world outbreak, according to the ministry. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda appreciated this first-of-its-kind exercise, highlighting the role of the 'One Health Mission' by fostering collaborations to address health concerns of humans, animals and plants holistically and in a sustainable manner, it stated.