Final article: Drastic solutions are needed.

(Baonghean)When small-scale, fragmented livestock farming is considered a "root cause" for the persistence of avian influenza outbreaks over many years, we need to implement necessary measures, prioritizing disease prevention.

>>Lesson 2: Strictly control the transportation of poultry and poultry products

According to Mr. Tran Minh Hanh (Deputy Head of the Provincial Veterinary Department), first and foremost, it is necessary to strengthen propaganda efforts to encourage people to switch from small-scale farming to confined farming so that they can manage their livestock, purchase breeding stock with clear origins, and report to local authorities and veterinary officers for vaccination and disease control. Livestock pens must be regularly disinfected to limit and eliminate pathogens.

Currently, a very clear characteristic of Nghe An province is its staggered livestock farming, with animals not entering and exiting simultaneously, and no time for empty pens for environmental cleaning. According to the principle, when pathogens have no place to be stored, they are quickly eradicated. Therefore, in addition to disinfection and sterilization, we need to apply the "all in, all out" confinement method, especially "all out," and avoid raising many different types of livestock and poultry in the same place to limit dangerous mutations that could create more dangerous pathogens and strains, and even spread from person to person. Local authorities need to strengthen the management of farms and livestock facilities in their areas, from origin to sale, and at the same time, socialize vaccination efforts to create immunity against diseases in chickens and ducks. If not vaccinated, samples must be taken for antibody testing before sale; only if the protection rate is met should they be allowed to be sold.

One of the most important solutions in the prevention and control of avian influenza outbreaks today is vaccination. For viral diseases, there is currently no specific cure, and they spread very quickly, easily leading to large-scale epidemics, including avian influenza.

The higher the vaccination rate, the greater the protection for poultry flocks, because, in principle, it will create antibodies against invading viruses. The effectiveness of vaccination has been proven in practice. In recent years, although disease outbreaks have been complex, they have mainly occurred at the household level rather than spreading across entire communes or districts as before. According to veterinary records, there have been no cases of outbreaks in vaccinated poultry. Therefore, in addition to promoting public awareness campaigns to improve disease prevention, we also need appropriate solutions to increase the vaccination rate of chickens and ducks.

Strengthening the role of local authorities in coordinating with relevant agencies to manage and monitor disease outbreaks, control the import of breeding stock, and oversee the sale of products from farms and livestock facilities in the area is crucial. In particular, to proactively prevent and control outbreaks, in addition to central government support when outbreaks occur, the province needs a reserve supply of vaccines. For example, during the outbreak in Quynh Giang (Quynh Luu) in 2012, the vaccine did not arrive in time, leading to rapid spread of the disease to surrounding households due to the close proximity of livestock farms.

According to regulations, to request vaccine supplies from the central government for epidemic control, a decision declaring an epidemic is required, along with a report on the epidemic situation and a submission from the Provincial People's Committee. The report must clearly state information about the affected area, the affected communes, the communes threatened by the epidemic, and the total number of livestock requiring vaccination. Completing all these mandatory requirements would take at least 2-3 days to obtain vaccines for epidemic control, significantly increasing the risk of widespread outbreaks. In contrast, if the province has its own reserve vaccine supply, it can immediately intervene at the outbreak site and surrounding areas to limit the risk of a large-scale epidemic.

For poultry farmers, it is necessary to raise awareness and responsibility in disease prevention and control. They should only purchase breeding poultry from reputable breeding facilities with clear origins and valid transport quarantine certificates. Consumers also need to be conscious of protecting themselves and the community, avoiding the purchase of poultry and poultry products without clear origins or quarantine certification, and refraining from supporting or condoning the smuggling of poultry and poultry products.

Local authorities need to intensify information and communication efforts through radio, television, and public address systems in communes, wards, and towns regarding the risk of infection from the new H7N9 influenza virus strain to humans, its potential to cause death, and its spread to poultry flocks. It is crucial to strengthen management and prevent the transportation and trading of poultry and poultry products of unknown origin, that have not undergone quarantine, and that do not meet food safety standards. In particular, border districts such as Ky Son, Que Phong, and Thanh Chuong need to focus on raising public awareness of the dangerous nature of the H7N9 avian influenza outbreak.

Simultaneously, organize for local people to sign commitments not to participate in the transportation and trading of poultry and poultry products across the border, especially through unofficial routes. Relevant agencies such as the Border Guard, Customs, Police, Market Management, and Veterinary services need to strengthen patrols and controls to prevent the smuggling of poultry and poultry products through border gates, trails, open routes, and poultry and poultry product collection points. Promptly detect and strictly handle all cases of participation in or abetting the illegal transportation and trading of imported poultry and poultry products across the border.

According to recommendations, vaccination should be carried out on over 80% of the total poultry population, or 100% of those eligible for vaccination, to ensure immunity and limit the risk of avian influenza spreading widely.

Phu Huong