The Hindu will conduct a free health webinar on Saturday (June 27, 2026) on the topic ’Ebola: Preparing for the Next Pandemic’ to be held on Saturday (June 27). The webinar will be held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The session will explore how zoonotic diseases – infectious diseases that spread from animals to humans – have become an increasing global public health concern. Using Ebola as a key case study, experts will explain how such diseases emerge, the factors that contribute to their spread, and why outbreaks are becoming more frequent in an increasingly interconnected world.

The discussion will explore the drivers of zoonotic diseases, lessons from past outbreaks, the One Health approach, disease surveillance, public health preparedness, and the role of vaccination and public awareness in preventing future pandemics.

Expert panellists include Parthesarathy Rajendran, executive director, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) South Asia, who will discuss how zoonotic diseases emerge and spread using Ebola as a case study, lessons from humanitarian health emergencies, the factors driving spillover events, and the importance of the One Health approach and global collaboration in responding to emerging infectious diseases.

Hamsadvani Kuganantham, consultant, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO), and Global Health research manager, The Global Health Network, University of Oxford, will speak about strengthening disease surveillance and early warning systems, the role of International Health Regulations in outbreak preparedness, building research capacity, improving data sharing during health emergencies, and how countries can prepare for future zoonotic threats.

Vijayalakshmi Balakrishnan, senior consultant, Infectious Diseases, Kauvery Hospitals, Chennai, will discuss recognising and managing zoonotic diseases in clinical practice, common zoonotic infections relevant to India, infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings, antimicrobial resistance, and the importance of public awareness, vaccination, and preventive strategies.

The session will be moderated by Zubeda Hamid, Senior Assistant Editor, The Hindu.

To register, click here or scan the QR code given below.