Circular No. 04/2016/TT-BNNPTNT on prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

 CIRCULAR

Regulations on Prevention and Control of Aquatic Animal Diseases

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Based on the Law on Veterinary Medicine dated June 19, 2015;

WHEREAS EDUCATION Decree No. 199/2013/NĐ-CP dated November 26, 2013 of the Government stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

At the proposal of the Director of the Animal Health Department,

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issues this Circular on prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Circular regulates the prevention and control of diseases in farmed aquatic animals.

2. This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals, both domestic and foreign, related to activities for preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases within the territory of Vietnam.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

In this Circular, the following terms are understood as follows:

1. Aquaculture facility is a place for raising and keeping aquatic animals including one or more ponds, lakes, cages, rafts, and other types of aquaculture facilities of organizations and individuals.

2. New disease is a new aquatic animal disease appearing in Vietnam that is not listed in the List of Aquatic Animal Diseases Required to be Notified, with the potential to spread rapidly over a wide area, causing significant mortality among aquatic animals.

3. Diseased aquatic animal is an aquatic animal infected with pathogens confirmed by testing results and showing typical signs and lesions of the disease.

4. Suspected diseased aquatic animal is an aquatic animal showing typical signs and lesions of the disease but has not been tested to confirm the pathogen.

5. Infected aquatic animal is an aquatic animal infected with pathogens confirmed by testing results but without typical signs and lesions of the disease.

6. At-risk aquatic animal is an aquatic animal susceptible to infection in the same water body as diseased aquatic animals, infected aquatic animals, or suspected diseased aquatic animals.

7. Environmental monitoring agency for aquaculture activities: At the central level, it is the Fisheries General Department; at the provincial level (hereinafter referred to as the provincial level), it is the Fisheries Sub-department.

9. Environmental monitoring report: Includes the results of environmental monitoring for aquaculture and recommendations for remediation.

Article 3. List of Aquatic Animal Diseases Required to be Notified

1. The List of Aquatic Animal Diseases Required to be Notified includes the diseases specified in Appendix I attached to this Circular.

2. The List of Aquatic Animal Diseases Required to be Notified shall be reviewed, adjusted, and supplemented when new diseases appear and when scientific bases and practical production requirements indicate the need for adjustment and supplementation.

Article 4. Principles of Prevention, Control, and Reporting of Aquatic Animal Diseases

1. Prevention is the main focus, including proactive surveillance of pathogens, environmental monitoring, collection of disease information, aquaculture activity information combined with information dissemination, publicity, and guidance for aquaculture facility owners to proactively implement disease prevention and control measures.

2. Activities for preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases must ensure proactivity, positivity, timeliness, and effectiveness.

3. Prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases is the responsibility of organizations, aquaculture facility owners, traders, transporters, processors, and preparers of aquatic products; state management agencies have the responsibility to organize and guide the implementation of timely and effective disease prevention and control measures.

4. Disease information and data of aquatic animals must be recorded, managed, analyzed, and reported promptly, accurately, and comprehensively according to the guidelines of the Animal Health Administration; aquaculture information and environmental monitoring are carried out according to the guidelines of the Fisheries General Department.

Article 5. Reporting System for Aquatic Animal Diseases

1. Immediate Reporting of Disease Outbreaks:

a) The owner of the breeding facility, veterinary practitioners, aquatic animal handlers, or individuals who discover aquatic animals showing signs of illness, death, or abnormal conditions must report to the village veterinary officer (hereinafter referred to as the village veterinary officer) and the People's Committee of the commune or the nearest specialized veterinary authority.

d) The Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department reports the situation of the disease outbreak to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production.

đ) The Regional Veterinary Office: Summarizes and reports to the General Department of Livestock Production on the situation of aquatic animal diseases in the region.

e) The General Department of Livestock Production reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and international organizations to which Vietnam is a member or has committed to comply with.

g) Reports on outbreaks or new diseases as stipulated in points a, b, c, d, đ of this Clause must be completed within 48 hours for communes in the delta regions or 72 hours for communes in remote areas, from the time of discovery or receipt of information about diseased aquatic animals.

h) Reports can be made by telephone, in person, via written documents, or email to relevant specialized veterinary management agencies.

c) Before 15:00 on Fridays each week, the Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department compiles weekly disease outbreak reports and sends them to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production.

d) Updates on disease outbreaks continue until the end of the outbreak, including holidays and weekends.

3. Final Report on the End of the Outbreak: Within seven days from the end of the outbreak as prescribed by law, the Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department is responsible for reporting the summary of the outbreak and evaluating the results of prevention and control measures.

4. Investigation Report on the Outbreak:

a) An investigation report on the outbreak is applied when the specialized veterinary authority determines that the outbreak is a listed aquatic animal disease requiring declaration or a new disease.

b) The Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department is responsible for reporting the results of the outbreak investigation to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production immediately after completing the investigation.

a) The Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department reports to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production on the spread of the disease.

b) The General Department of Livestock Production reports to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on the situation of the disease.

6. Periodic Reports:

a) Monthly Report: Data for the monthly report is compiled from the first day to the last day of the month. The report must be submitted in both written form and electronic files, specifically: The Veterinary Station reports to the Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department before the 10th of the following month; the Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department reports to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production before the 15th of the following month.

b) Mid-year Report (six months): Completed before July 15; data for the report is compiled from January 1 to June 30.

c) Annual Report: Completed before January 15 of the following year; data for the report is compiled from January 1 to December 31.

7. Report on Surveillance Results:

a) The Provincial Veterinary Sub-Department reports to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Veterinary Office, and the General Department of Livestock Production on surveillance results, disease forecasts, and local preventive measures.

Article 6. Construction and Implementation of the Plan for Prevention and Control of Aquatic Animal Diseases

Annually, the Animal Health Service shall take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to construct, submit to the competent authority for approval, and organize the implementation of the Plan for Prevention and Control of Aquatic Animal Diseases (hereinafter referred to as the Plan) in accordance with the following steps:

1. Summarize, analyze, evaluate the results, and clearly identify the obstacles, shortcomings, and inadequacies in the organization and implementation of the Plan of the current year; propose contents that need adjustment and supplementation for the Plan of the following year.

2. Specifically assess the role, importance, current status, and development trend of aquaculture in the locality; compile and analyze data on the area of main aquatic animals raised in the locality.

3. Compile, analyze, and evaluate the results of environmental monitoring and warning; the main water sources supplying the breeding areas; the current situation of discharges in breeding areas; the results of disease surveillance of aquatic animals, the disease situation (detailed description according to space, time, and diseased aquatic animals); risk factors related to the occurrence and spread of aquatic animal diseases in the locality; epidemiological indicators and related indicators needed for testing to determine the level of risk of disease occurrence, predict the possibility of disease occurrence and spread in the locality.

4. Determine necessary resources, including: human resources, material resources, financial resources to implement preventive, control, and support measures for breeding facility owners, environmental monitoring, disease surveillance, both when the disease occurs but does not yet meet the conditions for declaring an epidemic and when declaring an epidemic.

5. Based on technical standards, Vietnamese standards, and guidance documents on disease surveillance, investigation, environmental hygiene conditions for aquaculture, number of production and business facilities, aquaculture area, to propose indicators, frequency, sampling locations, number of aquatic animal samples, environment.

6. Construct the Plan comprising the contents stipulated in Article 7 of this Circular.

7. Report to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development so that the Department can submit the Plan and budget estimate to the Provincial People's Committee for approval before November 30 each year.

8. Send the approved Plan to the Regional Animal Health Office and the General Bureau of Animal Health for coordination in directing, guiding, and supervising the implementation.

9. Organize the implementation of the Plan.

10. In case of adjusting the Plan, the Animal Health Service shall send the adjusted Plan, which has been approved, to the Regional Animal Health Office and the General Bureau of Animal Health.

Article 7. Contents of the Plan for Prevention and Control of Aquatic Animal Diseases

1. Surveillance of aquatic animal diseases as prescribed in Clause 2 and 3 of Article 10 of this Circular.

2. Investigation of disease foci, measures to handle disease foci, and anti-disease measures.

3. Prepare materials, chemicals, funds, and human resources to implement preventive, control, and support measures for breeding facility owners when declaring an epidemic and even when the disease occurs but does not yet meet the conditions for declaring an epidemic.

4. Prepare equipment needed for investment, supplementation, and calibration to serve diagnostic testing, surveillance, disease focus investigation, epidemiological map construction, and data analysis.

5. Quarantine breeding stock; veterinary hygiene inspection; inspect management, trading, and use of feed, biological preparations, environmental treatment drugs, vaccines, and chemicals at the local level.

6. Provide information, propaganda, and training for aquaculture breeders, village veterinary staff, veterinary officials and employees: Legal regulations on breeding, disease prevention, product quality requirements, technical guidance documents from specialized veterinary and aquaculture agencies.

7. Assign specific responsibilities to relevant agencies and units to implement the Plan.

8. Hold mid-term and final reviews, analyze, and assess the disease situation; evaluate the implemented preventive and treatment measures and propose appropriate and effective adjustments.

Chapter II

DISEASE PREVENTION

Article 8. Disease prevention for breeding facilities, collection centers, nurseries, maintenance, trading, and aquaculture facilities

1. Implement the provisions set forth in Article 14, Clause 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 15 of the Law on Animal Health and other relevant legal regulations.

2. Design facilities to ensure that activities related to hygiene, disinfection, quarantine, and handling during disease outbreaks are carried out smoothly and effectively.

3. Water sources must be treated for pathogens, environmental factors controlled, and sufficient veterinary sanitary conditions ensured before being used for production; wastewater and waste must be treated to meet requirements before discharge.

4. Use of aquatic animal breeds:

a) Must have clear origins, be healthy, ensure disease safety, and comply with National Technical Standards for Aquatic Animal Breeds;

b) Aquatic animal breeds from out-of-province production facilities or imported must have a Certificate of Quarantine Inspection; quality checks must be conducted according to regulations.

5. In cases where self-prepared feed or fresh live feed is used, it must ensure veterinary hygiene, disease safety, and environmental protection.

6. Conduct monitoring in accordance with the provisions of Clause 1 of Article 10 of this Circular.

7. Apply technical measures for breeding, disease prevention, and environmental management according to the guidance of specialized agencies in aquatic animal health and aquaculture during the operation of the facility; encourage the use of vaccines approved for circulation in preventing diseases in aquatic animals.

Article 9. Environmental Monitoring and Early Warning for Aquaculture

1. Principles for environmental monitoring and early warning for aquaculture:

a) Environmental monitoring and early warning must be conducted regularly, continuously, and systematically to detect factors that may negatively impact the aquaculture environment, promptly notify relevant fisheries and veterinary management authorities; issue warnings and guide farmers to implement necessary measures for handling and remediation;

2. Develop Plans for Environmental Monitoring and Early Warning for Aquaculture:

a) The General Department of Fisheries shall take the lead and coordinate with the Animal Health Service and related agencies to develop an overall plan for environmental monitoring and early warning for aquaculture nationwide for a five-year period and annually, submit it for approval by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and allocate funds for implementation;

b) The Fishery Service shall take the lead and coordinate with the Animal Health Service and related agencies to develop local plans for environmental monitoring and early warning for aquaculture, report to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval by the provincial People's Committee and allocation of funds for implementation;

3. Criteria for determining areas, points, and objects to monitor the environment must meet the following conditions:

a) Monitoring areas include concentrated aquaculture zones sharing common water sources, defined by administrative boundaries, consistent with local aquaculture development planning; places where diseases frequently occur or have pollution risks; areas with at least 10 hectares for intensive and semi-intensive farming, 200 hectares for other forms of farming, and 1000 cubic meters for cage and raft farming;

b) Monitoring points should be stable and representative of the entire area; their coordinates must be determined and marked on maps;

a) Common environmental parameters: Meteorological and hydrological factors: air temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind, waves, flow rate, rainfall; water temperature, turbidity, suspended solids (TSS), salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), sulfate (SO42-), hydrogen sulfide (H2S);

b) Nutrients: nitrite (NO2-), nitrate (NO3-), ammonium (NH4+)(ammonia), phosphate (PO43-), silicate (SiO32-), total nitrogen (Nts), total phosphorus (Pts);

c) Heavy metals and toxic chemicals: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr3+), chromium (Cr6+), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), and total iron (Fets);

d) Pesticides: Chlorinated organics, organic phosphates, carbamates, synthetic pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, avermectins, herbicides, and total alpha and beta radioactivity;

đ) Total phytoplankton and harmful algal species;

e) Total bacteria, coliforms, Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., and causative agents of diseases in farmed aquatic animals (based on consensus with specialized veterinary management agencies regarding sampling locations and testing scope);

g) Organic pollutants: surfactants, oil, grease, phenols. Based on practical production situations, monitoring purposes, and needs at different stages, the General Department of Fisheries will decide and guide the selection of parameters and frequencies of monitoring as stipulated herein.

5. Environmental monitoring units are responsible for conducting monitoring:

a) Collect information on aquaculture, aquatic animal disease status, and environmental monitoring results from other departments to evaluate, compile, and supplement aquaculture environmental monitoring results;

b) Carry out measurements, analysis, compilation, processing of data, reporting monitoring results, and compiling monitoring reports according to the environmental monitoring plan;

6. The Fisheries Control Bureau: Provide information on aquaculture activities, guide and inspect the implementation of environmental monitoring units; within 01 (one) day from receiving the monitoring results, submit reports to the General Fisheries Department, local fisheries management agencies at the district level, village people's committees in monitored areas, and related units.

7. Monitoring report results:

a) The General Fisheries Department, Animal Health Service, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development shall receive periodic reports as stipulated in Clause 6 of this Article and ad hoc reports on environmental monitoring results from the Fisheries Control Bureau;

b) Relevant organizations, entities, and individuals shall provide environmental information to environmental monitoring units, the General Fisheries Department, and the Animal Health Service following surveys, investigations, and related research activities;

c) When detecting adverse environmental changes or potential risks for aquaculture production in a locality, environmental monitoring units shall immediately report to the Fisheries Control Bureau to issue warning decisions and timely responses; simultaneously report to the General Fisheries Department and notify the Animal Health Service, Veterinary Control Bureau, and related units to coordinate in handling;

8. Organization of environmental monitoring in aquaculture:

Article 10. Disease Surveillance of Aquatic Animals

1. Facility owners shall conduct clinical surveillance to detect diseases as follows:

a) Daily observation to promptly identify diseased or dead aquatic animals and handle them according to the provisions of Clause 2 of Article 15 and Appendix VI issued together with this Circular;

b) When a disease outbreak occurs or when the environment changes abnormally, collect samples for testing to detect pathogens; simultaneously report according to the provisions of Point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular.

2. Contents of the proactive disease surveillance plan for aquatic animals (referred to as the surveillance plan) include:

a) Species of aquatic animals to be monitored, location, time, frequency of sampling, types of aquatic animal samples, environmental samples, feed samples, number of samples, related information, and pathogens to be identified;

b) Budget for materials, chemicals, sampling equipment, testing procedures, and human resources to implement the surveillance plan;

c) Detailed budget for implementing the surveillance plan, including sample collection, purchase, processing, and testing; information and data collection, compilation, management, analysis, and reporting of surveillance results; training, seminars, interim and final meetings of the surveillance plan;

d) Collection, compilation, management, and analysis of surveillance information and data;

e) Measures to handle diseased, suspected diseased, and infected aquatic animals;

f) Specific assignment of responsibilities to relevant agencies, units, and individuals to implement the surveillance plan;

a) In cases where surveillance detects diseased, suspected diseased, and infected aquatic animals, handle them according to the provisions of Articles 15 and 19 of this Circular;

b) In cases where surveillance at participating facilities does not detect diseased, suspected diseased, and infected aquatic animals, the facility will be updated in the Management and Monitoring Form by the Veterinary Control Station, Animal Health Service for recognized disease-free breeding and aquaculture facilities to be prioritized for quarantine when transported out of the provincial area according to regulations.

4. Facility owners are responsible for:

a) Implement the provisions of Clause 1 of this Article.

c) Create favorable conditions and support the specialized veterinary service in sample collection according to the surveillance plan as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.

5. Village veterinary staff shall fulfill assigned tasks in the surveillance plan.

a) Guide village veterinary staff and coordinate with relevant units to implement the surveillance plan, including sampling of aquatic animals and environmental samples;

c) For undetermined environmental indicators and diseases, the Veterinary Station shall collect, preserve, and send samples to the testing laboratory of the Veterinary Control Bureau;

d) Guide facilities to implement disease prevention measures;

e) Report surveillance results to the Veterinary Control Bureau.

7. The Animal Health Service shall be responsible for:

a) Implement the provisions set forth in Clause 5, Article 16 of the Law on Animal Health;

b) Take the lead and coordinate with relevant units to develop, submit for approval by the competent authority at the local level, and allocate funds to implement the local animal aquatic disease surveillance plan in accordance with the provisions of this Clause; organize the implementation of the plan after it has been approved;

c) Direct the Veterinary Station and veterinary staff at the commune to cooperate with relevant units to implement the surveillance plan;

đ) For testing criteria that lack sufficient testing capacity, the Veterinary Sub-Department shall send samples to laboratories under the National Veterinary Agency or laboratories recognized by the competent authority (hereinafter referred to collectively as recognized laboratories);

e) After receiving the analysis and testing results, the Veterinary Sub-Department shall notify the results along with specific guidance on preventive measures to the Veterinary Station to guide the breeding facility owner in implementing them;

g) Report the surveillance results to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Regional Animal Health Office, and the National Veterinary Agency in accordance with Clause 7, Article 5 of this Circular for analysis and direction in the work of preventing aquatic animal diseases;

8. The National Veterinary Agency shall be responsible for:

a) Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant units to develop, submit for approval by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, and allocate funds to implement the national aquatic animal disease surveillance plan; organize its implementation after approval;

b) Organize the direction, guidance, inspection, and urging of the implementation of surveillance plans by localities;

c) Develop and guide the use of the national database on aquatic animal disease surveillance;

d) Organize training and instruction to enhance the capacity of staff involved in disease prevention, control, and surveillance at central and local agencies;

đ) Regularly review and supplement basic equipment for central agencies responsible for disease surveillance;

Article 11. Information, propaganda, and training on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases

Information, propaganda, and training on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases must ensure the following contents:

1. Entities implementing and participating in propaganda and training activities include organizations and individuals engaged in environmental monitoring, production, collection, breeding, cultivation, trading, transportation, processing, and disease prevention of aquatic products;

2. Content: Policies, legal regulations, guiding documents, and preventive measures against diseases issued by specialized animal health agencies;

3. Forms: Through one or more different forms (leaflets, media, seminars, training sessions, etc.), but must ensure regularity, speed, and effectiveness;

4. Timing: Must be carried out before breeding seasons, before peak disease periods, and when outbreaks occur;

5. Responsibilities:

a) The National Veterinary Agency shall take the lead and coordinate with the General Fisheries Department to develop and guide the implementation of programs and plans on information, propaganda, and training on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases nationwide;

b) The Veterinary Sub-Department shall take the lead and coordinate with the Fisheries Sub-Department to develop and implement programs and plans on information, propaganda, and training on preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases at the local level;

Chapter III

DISEASE CONTROL

Article 12. Reporting of Epidemics

1. The owner of the breeding facility, the person who discovers aquatic animals suffering from disease, showing signs of disease, dying due to disease, or dying in large numbers for unknown reasons, or dying due to environmental or weather conditions shall be responsible for reporting to the competent authority as prescribed in point a, Clause 1, Article 5 of this Circular.

2. In cases where the epidemic spreads rapidly over a wide area causing many aquatic animals to die, the owner of the breeding facility, the person who discovers aquatic animals suffering from disease, showing signs of disease, veterinary officers at the commune, and the Animal Health Station may report directly to the authorities and the District Animal Health Service, the General Department of Animal Health to promptly organize disease control measures.

Article 13. Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

1. Principles of investigating disease outbreaks:

a) Disease outbreak investigations shall only be conducted for: newly emerged disease outbreaks; disease outbreaks listed in the Catalogue of Diseases that must be declared occurring over a wide area causing many aquatic animals to die; when requested by the competent authority or the owner of the breeding facility;

b) Disease outbreak investigations must be carried out within one day in flatland areas and two days in remote areas from the time of discovery or receipt of information about the death of aquatic animals or signs of disease;

c) Information on disease outbreaks must be collected in detail, comprehensively, accurately, and promptly;

d) Prior to conducting the investigation, all necessary information about the breeding environment, diseases; raw materials, tools, equipment, chemicals required for the investigation of disease outbreaks; sampling tools, sample preservation, transportation; current regulations on disease prevention and control; necessary human resources, material resources, financial resources, and protective equipment; forms, tools for collecting information must be gathered.

2. Contents of disease outbreak investigations:

a) Collect initial information on environmental monitoring indicators before and during the period of the disease outbreak; identify basic epidemiological characteristics and the existence of the disease outbreak; trace the origin of the disease outbreak;

b) Investigate and update information on the disease outbreak at facilities with diseased aquatic animals, including: checking and comparing with previously reported information; environmental indicators, changes (if any); clinical examination, number, species, age, date of discovery of diseased aquatic animals; area (or quantity) of diseased aquatic animals, water depth, area (or quantity) of stocking; feed, drugs, chemicals used; breeding methods, observe the progression of the disease at the affected site; source of seedlings, pre-stocking quarantine results;

c) Describe the progression of the disease outbreak over time, location, diseased aquatic animals, showing signs of disease; evaluate the cause of the disease outbreak;

d) Propose conducting research on risk factors; take samples for testing when necessary to determine the pathogen;

đ) Summarize, analyze, evaluate, and make a definitive diagnosis of the outbreak, identify the disease, mode of transmission;

e) Report the results of the outbreak investigation, assess and forecast the disease situation in the subsequent period, propose preventive and control measures.

3. Responsibilities for investigating disease outbreaks:

a) Commune veterinary officers are responsible for visiting breeding facilities with diseased aquatic animals, showing signs of disease to verify information and report according to the form; simultaneously report the disease situation as prescribed in Article 5 of this Circular; assist in taking samples for testing to determine the pathogen;

b) The Animal Health Station dispatches staff to visit breeding facilities with diseased aquatic animals, showing signs of disease to guide the handling of the disease outbreak, take samples for testing, verify the origin of the disease, and report the disease situation as prescribed in Article 5 of this Circular. In cases where the disease has complex developments beyond the capacity of the Animal Health Station, the Station must immediately report to the District;

c) The District Animal Health Service conducts investigations according to the principles and contents prescribed in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article; organize sampling for testing as prescribed in Article 14 and report the disease situation as prescribed in Article 5 of this Circular. In cases where the disease has complex developments beyond the capacity of the District, the District reports immediately to the Regional Animal Health Authority, the General Department of Animal Health;

d) The Regional Animal Health Authority guides and supports the District Animal Health Service in conducting disease outbreak investigations;

e) The General Department of Animal Health directs, inspects, and supervises the investigation of disease outbreaks by the District Animal Health Service. In cases where the District Animal Health Service provides unclear information or implements investigation steps that do not meet requirements or the disease outbreak has complex developments, the General Department of Animal Health will conduct the investigation.

Article 14. Sampling, Diagnosis, Testing to Identify Pathogens

a) For diseases caused by viruses and parasites, it is 02 (two) days;

b) For diseases caused by bacteria and fungi, it is 04 (four) days;

c) Diagnosing and testing to find the causative agent is 07 (seven) days.

3. In cases where the pathogen cannot be definitively diagnosed, the accredited laboratory shall notify the sending agency and cooperate with other laboratories to carry out further tests or report to the Animal Health Department for guidance on diagnosing the pathogen.

4. If the sample specimens do not meet the requirements for quantity and quality, the accredited laboratory shall either directly request or suggest that the sampling agency re-take or supplement samples for diagnosis and testing.

5. Within the same commune, ward, town, or aquaculture area sharing the same water source, during the same epidemic period, once the test results for the initial outbreaks are available, there is no necessity to take samples for testing in subsequent outbreaks. Conclusions about subsequent outbreaks will be based on clinical signs of diseased aquatic animals and the rearing environment. If subsequent outbreaks have diseased aquatic animals with symptoms and lesions different from those already identified, further sampling for testing to identify the pathogen should continue.

Article 15. Handling Outbreaks of Aquatic Animal Diseases

a) Harvesting diseased aquatic animals: carried out according to the provisions of this Circular's Article 16 for aquatic animals meeting market size standards, suitable for food, feed, or other purposes;

b) Treating diseased aquatic animals: carried out according to the provisions of this Circular's Article 17 for diseased aquatic animals determined by specialized veterinary aquatic health authorities to be treatable and for which the breeding facility owner requests treatment;

c) Destroying diseased aquatic animals: carried out according to the provisions of this Circular's Article 18 for diseased aquatic animals not covered under points a and b of this clause.

Article 16. Harvesting Diseased Aquatic Animals in Outbreak Areas

1. The owner of the breeding facility harvesting diseased aquatic animals in outbreak areas must comply with the following requirements:

a) Notify the Veterinary Station regarding the purpose of use, quantity, handling measures, implementation plan, and monitoring measures for the use of diseased aquatic animals;

b) Not use diseased aquatic animals for breeding or as live feed for other aquatic animals;

c) Only transport diseased aquatic animals to collection, purchase, sale, processing, and manufacturing facilities (hereinafter referred to collectively as receiving facilities) and ensure that disease transmission does not occur during transportation.

2. Immediately upon receipt of notification from the facility owner, the Veterinary Station shall be responsible for:

c) Report to the Animal Health Service the results of the implementation.

3. The receiving facility must ensure and be responsible for disease safety during processing and manufacturing.

Article 17. Treatment of Aquatic Animals

1. Principles for treating aquatic animals:

a) Only treat diseases that have treatment protocols, where the aquatic animals have a chance to recover and the disease has been identified;

b) In cases where treatment does not cure the disease or results in the death of the aquatic animal during treatment, implement the provisions of Articles 16, 18, and 19 of this Circular; Do not use aquatic animals that do not meet the requirements for stopping medication before harvest for food.

2. Responsibilities of the aquaculture facility owner:

a) Proactively treat diseased aquatic animals according to the guidance of the specialized veterinary management agency;

3. Responsibilities of village veterinarians and private veterinarians:

a) Treat diseased aquatic animals according to the guidance of the District Veterinary Station and the General Veterinary Station;

b) Only use veterinary drugs, chemicals, and biological products listed in the Catalogue of Veterinary Drugs for Aquatic Animal Health Care permitted for circulation in Vietnam.

4. Responsibilities of the Veterinary Station:

a) Participate in guiding the implementation of treatment protocols for diseased aquatic animals for village veterinarians, private veterinarians, and aquaculture farmers;

b) Report to the District Veterinary Station on the effectiveness of applying treatment protocols.

5. Responsibilities of the District Veterinary Station:

a) Guide and disseminate treatment protocols for diseased aquatic animals to village veterinarians, private veterinarians, and aquaculture farmers;

b) Coordinate with the District Fisheries Station, aquaculture facilities, organizations, and individuals to test treatment protocols;

c) Report to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the General Veterinary Station on the effectiveness of applying treatment protocols; propose testing and issuing new more effective treatment protocols.

6. Responsibilities of the General Veterinary Station:

a) Issue treatment protocols for some dangerous aquatic animal diseases that can be treated;

b) Organize inspections and evaluations of treatment protocols; the use of veterinary drugs, chemicals, and biological products for disease treatment.

Article 18. Destruction of Diseased Aquatic Animals

b) The destruction team includes representatives from the Veterinary Station, the specialized aquaculture management agency at the district level, the People's Committee of the commune, and the owner of the aquaculture facility with diseased aquatic animals that must be destroyed;

c) Within 24 hours from the issuance of the decision to establish the team, the destruction team is responsible for implementing: isolating the infected area as determined in the destruction decision; preparing records with confirmation from the owner of the aquaculture facility with diseased aquatic animals to be destroyed.

2. Chemicals used for destruction and disinfection are sourced from the National Reserve Fund, the Local Reserve Fund, the owner of the aquaculture facility, or other chemicals with equivalent efficacy listed in the Catalogue of Veterinary Drugs for Aquatic Animal Health Care permitted for circulation in Vietnam.

Article 19. Post-harvest disinfection and disease eradication for infected areas

1. The owner of the facility shall implement:

a) Disinfect water in tanks, ponds, and lakes; disinfect tools, equipment, breeding cages, and nets; treat the bottom surface, eliminate crustaceans and intermediate hosts that transmit diseases using permitted chemicals after harvesting or destroying aquatic animals, ensuring no pathogens remain, no chemical residues, and maintaining environmental hygiene;

b) Notify adjacent breeding facilities sharing the same water supply system to apply preventive measures to prevent the spread of diseases.

2. Individuals involved in the processing and destruction of aquatic animals must ensure personal hygiene to eliminate pathogens, preventing their spread to the environment and other breeding facilities.

1. Announcing disease outbreaks for aquatic animals must meet the required conditions, be within the appropriate authority, be public, accurate, and timely.

2. Within twenty-four hours from receiving the request to announce a disease outbreak, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides to announce the disease outbreak for aquatic animals when all necessary conditions are met as stipulated in Clause 2, Article 34 of the Law on Animal Health.

3. Upon announcing a disease outbreak, the Chairman of the provincial-level People's Committee directs relevant agencies, departments, organizations, and individuals in the locality to implement disease control measures as prescribed in Article 35 of the Law on Animal Health.

Article 21. Control of transportation of aquatic animals in epidemic zones

1. The Animal Health Service Branch coordinates with local authorities to strengthen the control of transporting aquatic animals immediately upon the effective date of the decision to announce the epidemic.

2. Aquatic animals may only be transported out of the epidemic zone after being processed according to guidelines and obtaining a health certificate from the Animal Health Service Branch for cases involving transport outside the provincial administrative area.

3. Limit the transportation of sensitive aquatic animal breeds through epidemic zones. In cases where transportation through epidemic zones is necessary, notification and compliance with guidelines from the Animal Health Service Branch must be ensured.

Article 22. Measures for breeding facilities without disease in epidemic zones during the announcement period

The owner of the breeding facility should implement the following measures:

1. Apply biological safety measures and regularly sanitize and decontaminate the environment and aquaculture areas.

2. Enhance care and boost the resistance of the bred aquatic animals.

3. Do not introduce new or supplementary sensitive aquatic animals during the announced epidemic period.

4. For pond-based breeding facilities: Minimize the addition and replacement of water during the epidemic announcement period or when nearby breeding facilities report the presence of disease.

5. Strengthen proactive monitoring to detect diseased aquatic animals early, report to local authorities or veterinary officers, and promptly apply preventive measures.

1. At least fifteen days after completing the treatment of the last disease outbreak without the emergence of new outbreaks and implementing the measures specified in Points b and c, Clause 1, Article 36 of the Law on Animal Health, the Animal Health Service Branch shall submit a written report and request the Veterinary Administration to assess the conditions for announcing the end of the epidemic.

2. The Veterinary Administration will directly or authorize the Regional Veterinary Office to organize the assessment of the conditions for announcing the end of the epidemic within forty-eight hours for communes in plains or seventy-two hours for communes in remote areas from the date of receipt of the written request from the Animal Health Service Branch.

3. Immediately after completing the assessment of the conditions for announcing the end of the epidemic, the Veterinary Administration or the authorized Regional Veterinary Office will issue a written response to the Animal Health Service Branch to compile a report and request the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to decide on announcing the end of the epidemic as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 36 of the Law on Animal Health; if the conditions for announcing the end of the epidemic are not met, the Veterinary Administration or the authorized Regional Veterinary Office will guide the Animal Health Service Branch to implement necessary measures to meet the conditions for announcing the end of the epidemic.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 24. Responsibilities of the Animal Health Department

1. Drafting and submitting to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval the National Program on Prevention and Control of Aquatic Animal Diseases; the disease surveillance program serving aquatic product exports; the research program on epidemiology, disease investigation, and the creation of aquatic animal disease maps; guiding and organizing implementation after approval.

2. Guiding, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of prevention and control measures for aquatic animal diseases; handling violations in the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

3. Inspecting and guiding the use of chemicals from the national reserve fund for the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

4. Issuing and guiding localities to uniformly use disease reporting forms for aquatic animals.

5. Organizing training on preventive and control measures for aquatic animal diseases for veterinary stations, provincial animal health services, and subordinate units of the Animal Health Department.

7. Cooperating with domestic and international organizations and individuals to study and apply preventive and control measures for aquatic animal diseases; disseminating information about preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases.

Article 25. Responsibilities of the Fisheries General Department

1. Leading and coordinating with the Animal Health Department to draft and submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval the National Plan on Environmental Monitoring in Aquaculture; guiding and organizing implementation after approval.

2. Directing, guiding, and inspecting provincial fisheries services to develop and implement environmental monitoring plans, guiding farmers to conduct environmental monitoring during seed production and aquaculture to meet requirements for preventing and controlling aquatic animal diseases; issuing and guiding the use of record-keeping forms in aquaculture activities.

3. Drafting and submitting to competent authorities for approval and organizing the implementation of regulations, standards, and technical specifications for seed production and aquaculture that meet disease safety requirements.

4. Guiding, inspecting, and supervising the use of seeds, feed, chemicals, drugs, biological preparations, and products for environmental improvement and management; managing the aquaculture environment.

5. Directing, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of crop seasons and the application of technology in seed production and commercial aquaculture.

6. Regularly providing aquaculture data to the Animal Health Department as a basis for developing and implementing preventive and control measures for diseases.

7. Cooperating with the Animal Health Department in the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

Article 26. Responsibilities of People's Committees at all levels

1. Directing, inspecting, and supervising relevant departments and sectors at the local level to develop and organize the implementation of plans for the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases.

2. Allocating funds for activities related to the prevention and control of aquatic animal diseases, supporting facilities where aquatic animals are affected by disease, both during outbreaks that have not yet met the conditions for declaring a disease outbreak and after a disease has been declared.

Article 27. Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Advise and submit to the People's Committee at the provincial level for approval:

a) The Plan for the Development of Aquaculture, the Monitoring Plan, the Early Warning Plan for the Environment, and the Disease Prevention and Control Plan for Aquatic Animals;

b) Establishing the local reserve fund for materials, chemicals, and funds to implement preventive and control measures, including support for aquaculturists whose aquatic animals must be destroyed due to disease, even when the disease has occurred but does not yet meet the conditions for declaring an epidemic, and when an epidemic is declared;

c) Assigning responsibilities to relevant units to build and implement the Disease Prevention and Control Plan for Aquatic Animals; the Environmental Monitoring Plan; organizing surveillance of diseases in farmed aquatic animals and environmental monitoring for aquaculture in the locality;

d) Directing local related units to cooperate with the Animal Health Service Bureau in organizing prevention, control, surveillance, and investigation of diseases in aquatic animals in the locality;

đ) Designating, directing, and supervising the handling and destruction of diseased or suspected diseased aquatic animals, mobilizing forces to participate in disease control in the locality according to the proposal of the animal health agency. Inspecting and guiding the use of chemicals from the National Reserve Fund and the local reserve fund in accordance with regulations.

2. Directing specialized agencies to implement disease prevention and control for aquatic animals as stipulated in this Circular.

3. Managing disease-safe breeding and aquaculture facilities in the locality.

4. Directing specialized agencies to implement environmental monitoring for aquaculture in the locality as stipulated in this Circular.

Article 28. Responsibilities of the Animal Health Service Branch

1. Investigating, surveying on-site, and building plans for disease prevention and control for aquatic animals, including annual surveillance and information dissemination about aquatic animal diseases in the locality; implementing the plan after it is approved.

2. Guiding, inspecting, and supervising the implementation of disease prevention, treatment, and control measures for aquatic animals at breeding, trading, storage, and transportation facilities.

3. Directing and guiding veterinary stations, village veterinary staff, and aquaculture facility owners to report aquatic animal diseases according to the reporting form; responsible for distributing and guiding veterinary stations and village veterinary staff in the use of reporting forms.

5. Cooperating with relevant agencies to implement enhanced quarantine and transport control measures for aquatic animals.

6. Guiding, inspecting, and directing veterinary stations to organize supervision of the transport of harvested aquatic animals from infected areas to processing and manufacturing facilities.

7. Cooperating with the Fisheries Branch and using environmental monitoring data to develop and implement the Disease Prevention and Control Plan for Aquatic Animals.

8. Regularly providing disease data for aquatic animals to the Fisheries Branch as a basis for developing and implementing management measures for aquaculture.

9. The Animal Health Service Branch provides disease information for aquatic animals within its jurisdiction to authorities, residents, and news media for disease prevention and control publicity.

Article 29. Responsibilities of the Fisheries Sub-Department

1. Annually conduct field surveys and investigations, and prepare plans for environmental monitoring at the local level to be submitted to competent authorities for approval; organize the implementation of such plans after they have been approved.

2. Guide organizations, individuals, and breeding facilities according to the local planning; restore production after disease control measures have been implemented.

3. Guide, inspect, and supervise the application of regulations, technical standards, criteria, procedures, and record-keeping forms related to the production of aquatic animal seedlings and aquaculture to meet disease safety requirements.

4. Implement or manage the implementation of tasks related to environmental monitoring to meet disease prevention and control requirements for aquatic animals.

5. Guide, inspect, and supervise the use of feed, chemicals, drugs, biological preparations, and environmental treatment substances in aquaculture; handle and improve the environment; implement cultivation seasons and apply techniques in producing aquatic animal seedlings and commercial aquaculture.

6. Regularly provide aquaculture data and environmental monitoring warnings to the Animal Health Sub-Department as a basis for developing and implementing disease prevention and control measures.

7. Coordinate with the Animal Health Sub-Department, Regional Animal Health Office, Animal Health Department, and Fisheries General Administration in disease prevention, control, and surveillance activities for aquatic animals.

8. In provinces without a Fisheries Sub-Department, units responsible for managing provincial aquaculture shall undertake responsibilities similar to those of the Fisheries Sub-Department in preventing and controlling diseases among aquatic animals.

Article 30. Responsibilities of the Provincial Specialized Agency for Agricultural, Forestry, and Aquatic Product Quality

1. Cooperate with the Animal Health Sub-Department to monitor the harvesting and transportation of diseased aquatic animals for food processing when required.

2. Monitor the reception of diseased aquatic animals at preliminary processing and food processing facilities upon notification from the Animal Health Sub-Department.

3. Share information about food safety incidents at production and business establishments for seedlings and aquaculture with the Animal Health Sub-Department to serve as a basis for investigating the origin of veterinary drugs and issuing warnings.

Article 31. Responsibilities of Environmental Monitoring Units

1. Conduct environmental monitoring according to the approved environmental monitoring plan as stipulated by law.

2. Collect relevant information on environmental monitoring activities and promptly provide environmental monitoring results to the agency managing environmental monitoring activities and related units.

3. Provide guidance and participate in training on aquaculture environmental monitoring when requested by the facility owner or organizations and individuals, or by the agency managing environmental monitoring activities.

Article 32. Responsibilities and Benefits of Facility Owners

1. Apply disease prevention and control measures; comply with quarantine regulations, environmental monitoring, disease reporting, and storage of all types of records related to the operation of the facility such as seedlings; pond renovation; care and management of aquatic animals; disease outbreak handling, waste, and wastewater disposal according to the guidance of the Animal Health Sub-Department and specialized agencies for aquaculture.

2. Collaborate with the Animal Health Sub-Department and Fisheries Sub-Department in sampling aquatic animals and environmental samples to test environmental parameters, diseases, collect information to identify risk factors related to the environment and diseases of aquatic animals.

3. Provide information, data, and materials on environmental monitoring, surveillance, and disease prevention and control for aquatic animals according to the guidance of the specialized veterinary management agency.

5. Attend training courses on disease prevention and control for aquatic animals and aquaculture techniques organized by the Animal Health Sub-Department, Fisheries Sub-Department, agricultural extension services, and fisheries extension services.

6. Enjoy state support for disease prevention and control according to current regulations.

Chapter V

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 33. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 1, 2016.

2. This Circular replaces the following documents:

a) Circular No. 38/2012/TT-BNNPTNT dated August 2, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, listing diseases of aquatic animals that must be declared as epidemics;

b) Circular No. 17/2014/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 20, 2014, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, regulating disease prevention and control for farmed aquatic animals.

3. During implementation, if there are any difficulties, agencies, organizations, and individuals should promptly report them to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration and resolution./.