In response to the A/H5N8 avian influenza appearing for the first time in Vietnam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that, given the complex nature of this type of influenza, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has directed the veterinary sector to resolutely and synchronously implement solutions to control, prevent, and combat the disease.
All livestock infected with this influenza will be completely destroyed and strictly handled with biosafety.
In the long term, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has agreed to test and verify vaccines for this type of influenza. In the shortest time, Vietnam will proactively vaccinate its poultry flock with a scale of 530 million birds.
In the immediate future, localities will organize vaccination to contain the outbreak, using avian influenza vaccines that are currently allowed to circulate in Vietnam and are effective in protecting against the A/H5N6 virus strain to vaccinate all poultry flocks in villages and communes with the outbreak and high-risk localities. Because according to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the A/H5N8 avian influenza virus strain is of the same subtype 2.3.4.4 as the A/H5N6 avian influenza virus.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assessed that in the coming time, the risk of A/H5N8 avian influenza spreading and occurring on a large scale is very high. Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent a telegram to the Chairmen of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities on focusing on drastic and synchronous implementation of solutions to control, prevent, and combat A/H5N8 avian influenza and other highly pathogenic avian influenza virus strains from spreading widely.
Accordingly, to proactively prevent the A/H5N8 avian influenza virus and other highly pathogenic avian influenza strains and minimize human infection and death, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recommends that localities with A/H5N8 avian influenza outbreaks that have not passed 21 days, poultry found to be positive for A/H5N8 avian influenza virus, sick poultry, or poultry suspected of being sick due to A/H5 avian influenza strains need to be destroyed, declare the epidemic, and implement disease prevention and control measures. Localities should organize investigations to determine the cause and source of infection for timely and effective handling and prevent the disease from spreading widely; organize vaccination to surround the outbreak.
Localities review and organize vaccination for poultry flocks, ensuring that over 80% of the total flock is at risk; regularly review and provide additional vaccination for newly emerged and unvaccinated poultry flocks. At the same time, instruct poultry farmers to strictly apply biosafety measures; regularly clean and disinfect with lime powder and chemicals; organize a month of general cleaning, disinfection, and sterilization to destroy pathogens; and fully vaccinate poultry flocks.
Localities organize the development and implementation of proactive monitoring plans, take samples of poultry showing signs of illness, suspected illness of avian influenza, poultry in high-risk areas, and send them to the laboratory of the Department of Animal Health for testing to determine the cause of the disease in order to promptly warn, handle, and destroy sick poultry flocks, suspected illness, positive for avian influenza virus, strains A/H5N1, A/H5N6, and A/H5N8.
Localities and units shall strictly implement quarantine at the source; strictly control the transportation and trading of poultry and poultry products in the area. At the same time, strengthen communication so that people do not participate in illegal trading and transportation of poultry across the border; strictly handle violations; strictly prohibit the trading and transportation of poultry and poultry products into Vietnam.
Provinces and cities shall direct forces of the National Steering Committee against smuggling, trade fraud, and counterfeit goods to resolutely prevent, promptly detect, and strictly handle cases of illegal transportation of animals and animal products, especially cases of illegal transportation of poultry and poultry products from abroad into Vietnam.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development also assigned the Department of Animal Health and units under the Department to organize working groups to localities to inspect, guide, and urge implementation. The Department coordinates with enterprises producing and supplying avian influenza vaccines to evaluate the effectiveness against the A/H5N8 virus strain for avian influenza vaccines that have been licensed for circulation in Vietnam and new vaccines that are being registered for testing and trial according to regulations.
The Department also proactively coordinates with international organizations and countries to share information, experience, and solutions for disease prevention and control; promptly organizes surveillance; conducts in-depth research on epidemiological characteristics; and promptly warns and guides disease prevention and control measures.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development assigned the Department of Livestock Production and the National Agricultural Extension Center to establish working groups to visit localities to urge and provide specific guidance on biosafety and hygiene measures for livestock farming to prevent and control epidemics.
According to the Department of Animal Health, from the beginning of June 2021 to present, the A/H5N8 avian influenza virus strain has been detected in 3 provinces: Hoa Binh (1 outbreak in Huu Loi commune, Yen Thuy district); Cao Bang (1 outbreak in Ngoc Xuan ward, Cao Bang city and 9 active surveillance samples at live poultry markets in Cao Bang province); and Quang Ninh (1 outbreak in Vu Oai commune, Ha Long city).
According to Baotintuc.vn