Action plan on emergency response to dangerous avian influenza virus strains with potential infection on humans

Decision 210/QĐ-BNN-TY has the following general objective: Actively detect and maintain readiness to prevent and minimize the risk of human infection and adverse impacts if the influenza A/H7N9 virus enters Viet Nam. The specific objectives of the Decision are to:

1.       minimize the risk of influenza virus A/H7N9 penetrating Viet Nam through the illegal importation of poultry and poultry products.

2.       ensure early detection and timely response to the virus A/H7N9 if it does enter Viet Nam.

3.       minimize the risk of the influenza virus A/H7N9 infecting poultry and humans.

4.       minimize negative impacts on socio-economic development. 

A One Health approach will be applied,with close cooperation between the veterinary sector and other sectors such as human health, market management, customs, border defence forces, the police, local authorities and international organizations, to implement effective and comprehensive measures to ensure achievement of the designated objectives. The action plan addresses the following scenarios:

1.       No influenza A/H7N9 cases detected in poultry or the environment.

2.       No influenza A/H7N9 cases detected in poultry or the environment but human case(s) reported.

3.       Detection of the influenza A/H7N9 virus in poultry or the environment but no human case reported.

4.       Detection of the influenza A/H7N9 virus in poultry or the environment and human case(s) reported.

Technical solutions

* Measures to be applied in the border areas: strictly forbidden the trading and smuggling of poultry and poultry products across the border; organizing propaganda activities to enhance the responsibility of the local authorities and functional agencies; resolutely fight and treat seriously any case of violation; organize cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of border gate areas and transportation vehicles crossing the border.

* Monitoring the trade of poultry and poultry products of unknown originsat wholesale poultry markets.

* Focusing on the implementation of sample collection for surveillanceof poultry that are traded, through the projects funded by USAID, FAO, CDC and the state budget; strengthening the rapid response capacity of veterinary services, including training for local veterinary services; strengthening the capacity for diagnosis and testing.

* The intervention measures for poultry markets:

 - For live bird markets: Periodic closure of markets for comprehensive cleaning, disinfection and sterilization to eliminate germs; hygiene sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization after operations; cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, transport equipment and poultry containers; recording the information for traceability (where poultry was sold and consumed); encouraging traders, transporters and poultry buyers to use masks, gloves and boots when handling poultry.

- For the market where poultry was sold and slaughtered: Separation of the live poultry and slaughtered poultry areas; cleaning and disinfection of the areas where poultry and poultry products are sold and slaughtered after each session of the market; cleaning and disinfection of all facilities, transportation equipment and cages and containers for poultry and poultry products.

* Measures for slaughterhouses and slaughter points:Using personal labour protection equipment as recommended by the health sector when contacting and slaughtering poultry; not slaughtering poultry of unknown origins; cleaning and disinfecting slaughtering areas after operations; cleaning and disinfection of all facilities and transportation equipment for poultry and poultry products.

* Conducting studies to analyse and assess supply chains of poultry and poultry products for markets, with the full range of relevant epidemiological information from the hatchery to the farm, transporter, market and slaughterhouse, distributor and consumer. Mapping the supply networks of poultry and poultry products in each area as a basis for response plans when needed.

* In case human infection of Influenza A/H7N9 is found in Viet Nam, additional measures will be implemented based on the recommendations of the health sector.