Opportunities and Challenges in “Coupled Natural-Human Systems and Emerging Infectious Diseases in Vietnam” Dr. Trinh Dinh Thau, Vice Dean Faculty of Veterinary Medicince Hanoi University of Agriculture (HUA), Vietnam.

1. Overview of Vietnam Area: 332,000 km 2 Population : 86 million ( 70 % practice farming). Capital: Hanoi Agricultural production contributed about 30% of national GDP. Crops and livestock are major sectors in agricultural production. Livestock contributed about 19.7% of agricultural GDP.

Avian Influenza (AI) situation in Vietnam Since the first outbreaks of AI occurred in Vietnam, 5 epidemic waves reported: –1 st wave: December March 2004, 57/64 provinces infected; ~45 m. birds died/culled. –2 nd wave: April November 2004, 17/64 provinces infected, 84 th. birds died/culled. –3 rd wave: December March 2005, 36/64 provinces infected, 1,850 m. birds died/culled. –4 th wave: October December 2005, 24/64 provinces infected, 4.m birds died/culled. [From December 15, 2005 to December 05, 2006: the AI was successfully controlled in the whole country] –5 th wave: December Jan 2007 and May 2007 up to now, 30/64 provinces infected, 350 th. birds died/culled. (Source : Mr. Tien, DAH, VietNam)

AI situation in 2008 –Total 97 AI outbreaks occurred in 76 infected communes in 51 districts of 27 provinces. Total number of culled population is 75,970, including chickens and 43,957 ducks and 2,965 Muscovy ducks. (Source : Mr.Tien, DAH, Vietnam)

AI Situation 2009: Totally, 130 AI outbreaks occurred in 71 communes in 35 districts of 17 provinces; 127,725 birds culled (23,265 chickens (18 %), 103,500 ducks (81 %) and 960 muscovy ducks (1.0 %) * 2010: Totally, 97 AI outbreaks occurred in 56 communes in 33 districts of 19 provinces; 75,970 birds culled (29,048) chickens (38,2%), 43,975 ducks (57,90 %) and 2,965 Muscovy ducks (3,9 %). (Source : Mr.Tien, DAH, Vietnam)

Spatial distribution of AI outbreaks in 2009 & 2010

Transfer AI from birds to human Wild birdsPoultry Hong Kong 1997, H5N1 HK, China 1999, H9N2 Netherlands 2003, H7N7 Hong Kong 2003, H5N1 Viet Nam and Thailand, 2004 H5N1

Opportunities for Hanoi University of Agriculture (HUA)’s staff and students The staffs and students of HUA who join the project can get an improved knowledge of Avian Influenza (AI). They can examine how the measure of urbanization, agricultural change, and habitat alteration correlate with outbreaks of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry. They can be aware of the complex linkages between people’s perceptions of the risk of AI in poultry and other ecological and social variables.

Opportunities They can be exposed to the current situation of local area and can get good experience on working with the community. They can understand about urbanization and peri-urbanization, agricultural change, and habitat alteration and the correlation between these factors and outbreaks of AI. They can clearly recognize the factors affecting AI.

Opportunities After engaging in the project, they will have an open mind equipped with knowledge and experience to contribute in formulating strategies for the prevention of AI. Finally, human and animal health and community life are greatly improved.

2. Opportunities for the community leaders The community leaders can get practical knowledge about AI. They will understand how the perceived risk of AI in poultry varies with multiple socio-ecological, socio-psychological variables, demographics and outbreaks. They will be able to recognize that the outbreaks of AI are also related to the traditional, transitional and modern settings. Involving in this project will help them develop good and proper policies for the farmers and animal raisers to control the disease in the local areas.

Opportunities The production activities of local areas are improved. After understanding well the benefit and the role of the project, the community leaders are willing to cooperate with the project’s team.

The challenges of the project There are many factors affecting the prevention of AI. –Government and local authorities’ policies, –Techniques from research institutions, other support, etc. –Perception and attitudes of local people (animal raisers, veterinarians, local people, and local leaders..) are very important factors. Those factors are directly affecting the prevention of AI as well as other emerging infectious diseases in rural areas.

The challenges of the project In Vietnam, when AI occurred, government and local authorities provided many solutions for AI preventive program that reduced economic loss and risks in poultry-raising for local people. In some local areas, the perception as well as the knowledge of local people in AI preventive program is not so good. Therefore, the result of preventive program for AI is limited.

The challenges of the project The knowledge and experience on AI of community leaders and local people are limited. They do not often get the updated information of AI. Therefore, they do not have the correct methods of controlling AI outbreaks.

Challenges for staffs and students in University (When project was carried out) How to collect real data in the past. Because almost local people do not record for their activities. Experiences working with project (socio- economic aspects) of the staff and students is limited. Moving from Household to Household in Communes in Mountainous zone that have some difficulties.

Challenges for staff and students in University (The project Implementing) Perception of local peoeple in AI that is not so good. That is affecting to data collection. Some Households in the past have poultry raising is major activities (during time AI outbreak appear). At present, These household no more poultry raising. How to can get data from them ?? At present.

Challenges for staff and students in University (When project was carried out) In some communes, number of poultry raising households have reduced after AI outbreak. In some case, poultry raising practic become minor activities in the communes.

Duck running in the field

Industry Chicken raising

Raising native chicken in the home garden

The solutions for overcoming the difficulties It is necessary to have team leaders, coordinators and management board for project. Conduct training for the staff and students of HUA to understand well the purpose of the projects. Assigment specific duty for responsibility people. Transmit information (information dissemination) about AI through media and printed documents.

The solutions for overcoming the difficulties Prepare Documents about AI and its prevention. Provide these documents (leaflets, brochures) for local people. Conduct the workshop about AI and its preventive program. Introduce some AI preventive guide for local people, especially in remote area. Explain well the purpose and benefits of the project for local people. Prepare the good questionaires for intervewing

THANK YOU VERY MUCH