TADinfo software was provided by FAO to Viet Nam and will be used as the national animal health database. Some modules of the software were modified by adding fields and changing the analysis function. It was also translated into Vietnamese to make sure the system can be used without any problems of understanding.
Because the software needs appropriate epidemiological data, the disease surveillance system was strengthened accordingly, more particularly in a pilot area (four provinces) where a new disease reporting form was tested. These activities were supported by the European Union project "Strengthening veterinary services" within its epidemiological component.
During this pilot phase, data coming from the field were recorded in TADinfo, which was evaluated by the staff as "an appropriate tool for the Epidemiology Division of the Department of Animal Health". However, the major problem so far remains the quality of the data, which needs to be improved.
Training courses in Arcview Software (software used for the mapping component of TADinfo) and database management were attended by five staff members from the Epidemiology Division and Project Management Unit. Another training course in disease reporting procedures is planned for people who will be in charge of training provincial and district staff.