Improving animal disease detection and monitoring in Viet Nam

Tackling avian influenza, African swine fever, rabies and other animal diseases that threaten our health and livelihoods is critical. It relies on good surveillance to identify and track pathogens that cause disease outbreaks very early and respond accordingly.

FAO collaborated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development’s Department of Animal Health (DAH) to further strengthen Viet Nam animal disease surveillance capacity using Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET).

With the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the SET mission in Viet Nam was conducted from 17 to 27 April 2023. The evaluation team composed of FAO and DAH epidemiologists conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the technical and functional surveillance capacities in several provinces—from the northern part to the central highland region of the country. The result of the tool will help the government and partners to understand the gaps, provide evidence for improved policy and practice, and guide actions to improve Viet Nam’s animal disease surveillance capacities in a coordinated approach.

SET consists of a comprehensive and repeatable methodology to assess surveillance systems along 96 indicators specific to animal disease surveillance. Indicators are scored using information gathered from interviews with surveillance actors in the country and reviewing relevant documents, generating graphic visuals that can clearly highlight surveillance strengths and areas for improvement.

The team interviewed representatives from the Regional Animal Health Offices (RAHOs), the Viet Nam Veterinary Association, the National Centre for Veterinary Diagnosis, the General Department of Preventive Medicine, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the One Health Partnership Secretariat, as well as actors along the food value chain.

Based on the initial results provided by the tool, the team developed a draft action plan to support the development of Viet Nam’s animal disease surveillance capacities, including updating national programs for surveillance, implementing training programs for surveillance actors, enhancing reporting and information sharing, and developing an internal monitoring and evaluation system for surveillance activities in Viet Nam. On 27 April, the team presented their preliminary results to key government and development partners in Hanoi to advocate for the implementation of the action plan. A detailed evaluation report will follow.