Circular No. 05/2011/TT-BNNPTNT guiding measures to prevent and control Newcastle disease in poultry

CIRCULAR

Guidelines for Measures to Prevent and Control Newcastle Disease in Poultry

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Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; Decree No. 75/2009/NĐ-CP dated September 10, 2009 of the Government amending Article 3 of Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government detailing the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Veterinary Law dated April 29, 2004;

Pursuant to Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 15, 2005 of the Government detailing the implementation of certain provisions of the Animal Health Ordinance;

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issues guidelines on measures to prevent and control Newcastle disease as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

These Circulars provide guidelines on measures to prevent and control Newcastle disease and the responsibilities of agencies, local authorities, organizations, and individuals in preventing and controlling Newcastle disease.

Article 2. Applicability

These Circulars apply to agencies, organizations, and individuals within and outside Vietnam that engage in poultry farming, transportation, slaughtering, trading of poultry and products derived from poultry.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

Article 20. In this Circular, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. Newcastle virus infection: Is a case where poultry carries the pathogen but does not yet exhibit clinical symptoms of the disease.

2. Newcastle disease case: Refers to cases where poultry infected with the Newcastle virus develop the disease with clear clinical symptoms and post-mortem lesions visible to the naked eye.

3. Newcastle disease outbreak: Refers to the appearance of one or more Newcastle disease cases in a farm or village.

4. Affected area with Newcastle disease: Refers to an area with multiple Newcastle disease outbreaks confirmed by authorized veterinary authorities.

Article 4. Newcastle Disease

1. Newcastle disease (Newcastle) is a dangerous infectious disease affecting birds (chickens, various types of birds) of all ages, often occurring concurrently with other poultry diseases, leading to high mortality rates and significant economic losses.

Newcastle disease was first discovered in 1926 in Newcastle city, northeastern England. The disease has spread across all continents. In Vietnam, it occurs annually in many regions, causing substantial losses to the poultry farming industry.

2. Pathogen: Newcastle disease is caused by a virus belonging to the Avulavirus genus of the Paramyxoviridae family. The Newcastle disease virus has a single-stranded RNA genome structure. Its genetic system contains approximately 16,000 nucleotides. The virus replicates in the cytoplasm of host cells.

Based on clinical symptoms, Newcastle disease can be classified into four main forms: highly virulent viscerotropic (Viscerotropic velogenic), highly virulent neurotropic (Neurotropic velogenic), moderately virulent (Mesogenic), and low virulent (Lentogenic). Highly virulent Newcastle disease viruses can cause death in poultry shortly after infection before clinical symptoms appear. Unvaccinated flocks may suffer up to 100% mortality.

3. Modes of Transmission

Direct transmission: The Newcastle virus typically spreads through direct contact between diseased and healthy poultry. The virus is excreted via feces, secretions from the eyes, nose, mouth, or through the breath of sick poultry.

Indirect transmission: The virus can also spread through carcasses of diseased poultry, eggshells, farming equipment, feed and water, livestock waste, footwear, or clothing of farmers carrying the virus.

4. Resistance

The Newcastle virus is easily destroyed at high temperatures, being eliminated in 30 minutes at 70°C, 5 minutes at 75°C, and 1 minute at 80°C. In alkaline or acidic environments or under direct sunlight, the virus is easily destroyed. At low temperatures, the virus can survive for extended periods, up to several weeks, in organic environments such as feces, secretions, or on the feathers of diseased poultry.

5. Clinical Symptoms

Incubation period: The average incubation period is 5-6 days, but it can range from 2-15 days.

The severity of the disease depends on factors such as the virulence of the virus strain, species, age, and resistance. Main clinical symptoms include:

a) Mild form, respiratory form: Common symptoms include sneezing, difficulty breathing, coughing, nasal discharge, swelling around the eyes and neck; diarrhea, white-green or white-colored stools;

b) Severe form: Common symptoms include neurological weakness, general weakness, muscle tremors, wing flapping, head and neck twisting, circling, paralysis of legs, total body paralysis; reduced egg production, thin-shelled eggs, sudden death; mortality rate can reach up to 100%;

6. Lesions

Diseased poultry usually exhibit lesions such as thickened, cloudy air sacs, inflammation and hemorrhage of the trachea, necrotic patches in the proventriculus, intestines, and mesenteric lymph nodes; pinpoint hemorrhages in the proventriculus, concentrated around the digestive gland outlet; edema, hemorrhage, or degeneration of the oviduct in laying hens.

7. Laboratory Diagnosis

a) Differential diagnosis: It is necessary to differentiate Newcastle disease from other poultry diseases such as avian influenza, infectious laryngotracheitis, infectious bronchitis, mycoplasma infections, fowl pox (diphtheritic form), and egg drop syndrome (EDS-76);

b) Detection of the causative agent: Using hemagglutination (HA) and hemagglutination inhibition (HI) tests. Additionally, PCR techniques can be employed;

c) Detection of antibodies: Using serological methods such as hemagglutination inhibition (HI) or ELISA;

d) Determination of the virulence of the virus strain: Using one of the following methods:

Average time to kill chicken embryos.

Pathogenicity index when injecting the virus into the brain of one-day-old chicks.

Pathogenicity index when injecting the virus intravenously into six-week-old chickens.

Chapter II

PREVENTION OF NEWCASTLE DISEASE

Article 5. Propaganda for Prevention and Control of Newcastle Disease

1. The Animal Health Department shall develop the content and organize the implementation of the propaganda program for the prevention and control of Newcastle disease. Guide the Provincial Animal Health Sub-departments under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as the Animal Health Sub-department) to implement the communication program at the local level.

2. People's Committees at all levels shall direct specialized agencies and mass organizations to implement contents related to the prevention of Newcastle disease.

3. Mass media agencies and mass organizations shall organize propaganda to disseminate knowledge about Newcastle disease, its dangerous nature, and preventive measures to each household raising poultry and the community.

4. Promote and mobilize organizations and individuals engaged in poultry farming, trading, transportation, and slaughtering to commit to implementing the "Prevention Agreement" with the following contents:

a) Not to buy, sell, or eat meat from diseased, dead, or unknown origin poultry;

b) To implement Newcastle disease prevention using vaccines;

c) To promptly report outbreaks;

d) Not to dispose of poultry carcasses indiscriminately.

Article 6. Requirements for Hygiene in Disease Prevention

1. Regarding livestock housing: must comply with regulations on housing conditions and veterinary hygiene for the breeding area and poultry housing.

2. Regarding breeding stock: breeding stock must meet the requirements stipulated in the Breeding Stock Ordinance 2004; must have clear origins, be healthy, have a health certificate issued by the veterinary authority, and must be quarantined before being introduced into the flock.

3. Regarding transportation means and personnel:

Transportation means must be cleaned, disinfected, and sterilized according to regulations.

Personnel entering and exiting the breeding area must strictly follow the hygiene and disinfection procedures.

Article 7. Requirements for Poultry Farm Management

1. Poultry farming must ensure veterinary hygiene conditions, breeding stock quality, breeding procedures, and disease prevention procedures as prescribed by the veterinary authority for epidemic prevention.

2. Poultry farms with a scale of 500 heads or more must register with the local veterinary authority; must have veterinary staff managing and monitoring. The number of flocks and individual poultry must be updated at least once every three months.

3. Encourage the establishment of safe zones and facilities for Newcastle disease.

Article 8. Disease Prevention Using Vaccines

Regularly implement disease prevention using vaccines as prescribed in Decision No. 63/2005/QĐ-BNN dated October 13, 2005, of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development regarding mandatory vaccination for livestock and poultry. Disease prevention using vaccines must be carried out regularly and continuously to create protective immunity for newly emerging or expired immunity poultry flocks.

1. Vaccination targets: various types of chickens and quails;

2. Vaccination scope: centralized breeding facilities and household breeding throughout the country;

3. Vaccination time: vaccinate twice annually, in March-April and September-October, and provide supplementary vaccinations for new chicken flocks. Depending on the age of the chickens, the vaccine can be administered through the eyes, nose, or injection for household breeding. For centralized breeding, follow the schedule for vaccination;

4. The Animal Health Sub-department shall inspect, urge the prevention of Newcastle disease and guide the issuance of vaccination certificates.

Article 9. Surveillance of Newcastle Disease

1. Annually, the Animal Health Department shall take the lead in building and organizing the implementation of the Newcastle Disease surveillance program;

2. The surveillance content includes: clinical surveillance to quickly detect disease outbreaks, circulation surveillance of the virus and serological surveillance to assess the prevalence of the causative agent, antibody circulation, surveillance of viral changes and evaluation of virulence;

3. Authorities at all levels shall direct relevant agencies to support the animal health sector in implementing Newcastle Disease surveillance programs.

Article 10. Quarantine and Transport Control

1. Border quarantine: Implementing quarantine and transport control of poultry and poultry products crossing the border in accordance with regulations.

a) Authorities at all levels shall direct local functional agencies to cooperate with the animal health sector to strengthen inspection, control, prevention, and handling of illegally imported poultry;

b) Regularly disinfect and decontaminate all means of transportation carrying poultry and poultry products when passing through checkpoints.

2. Domestic quarantine:

a) Animal health agencies shall conduct quarantine of poultry and poultry products at their place of origin and issue quarantine certificates in accordance with regulations;

b) Animal quarantine stations and checkpoints at traffic hubs have the responsibility to monitor the transportation of poultry and poultry products and handle violations according to the law.

Chapter III

NEWCASTLE DISEASE CONTROL

Article 11. Reporting and Handling of Suspected First Outbreaks

1. When poultry exhibits unusual signs suspected of Newcastle Disease, the livestock owner must immediately report to the nearest animal health agency, veterinary staff, or local authority; simultaneously isolate the suspected diseased poultry.

2. Upon receiving notification of suspected diseased poultry, the personnel receiving the report must verify and immediately inform the District Veterinary Station, while also reporting to the People's Committee of the commune, ward, or town.

3. District Veterinary Station: Upon receiving reports from veterinary staff or local authorities, it must promptly organize inspections, diagnose, and verify the outbreak; guide livestock owners on isolation measures, hygiene and disinfection, disease control, and collect samples for testing as prescribed.

4. In cases where the diagnosis confirms a Newcastle Disease outbreak, the District Veterinary Station shall guide the owners of infected animals to implement:

a) Destroy diseased and suspected diseased chickens;

b) Vaccinate healthy chickens within the outbreak area and surrounding areas;

c) Sanitize and spray chemicals for disinfection, twice a week.

5. If necessary, the animal health agency may advise local authorities to organize the destruction of diseased poultry flocks without waiting for test results.

Article 12. Diagnosis of Disease

Disease diagnosis must be conducted at laboratories under the Animal Health Department or authorized by the Animal Health Department. Testing procedures follow Vietnamese Standards.

Newcastle Disease diagnosis should be differentiated from highly pathogenic avian influenza. If the test confirms Newcastle Disease negative and avian influenza positive, Circular No. 69/2005/TT-BNN dated November 7, 2005 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on guiding urgent measures to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) in poultry shall be applied.

In cases where the sample submitter is not a veterinary officer of the authorized local animal health agency, the laboratory has the responsibility to immediately notify the suspected outbreak to the local animal health agency for monitoring and tracking.

Upon confirmation of a Newcastle Disease outbreak through testing results, the laboratory must immediately notify the Provincial Animal Health Office in the affected area to organize disease control, and simultaneously inform the test result to the sample submitter.

Article 13. Announcement of Disease Outbreak

1. Conditions for Announcing a Disease Outbreak:

When all conditions are met, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall announce the disease outbreak in accordance with Articles 17, 19, and 20 of the Animal Health Ordinance.

2. Scope of Disease Announcement

a) If more than 5% of households in a commune have poultry infected with highly pathogenic Newcastle disease, then the disease outbreak shall be announced in that commune;

b) If 30% or more communes in a district have a disease outbreak, then the disease outbreak shall be announced throughout the entire district.

3. In cases where a disease outbreak is not announced or poultry is infected with low-pathogenic Newcastle disease, the local animal health authority shall direct the application of preventive and control measures as stipulated in Article 13 of this Circular.

Article 14. Measures for Handling Diseased Areas

1. In cases where a diseased area is caused by highly pathogenic virus, the following handling measures shall be applied:

a) Immediately destroy dead poultry and sick poultry; isolate healthy poultry in the flock for care and feeding or on-site slaughtering and consumption;

b) Administer Newcastle disease vaccine to the chicken flock;

c) For small-scale poultry flocks within the affected area that have not yet been infected but are at risk: organize on-site isolation; enhance care and feeding; encourage on-site slaughtering and consumption;

d) For large-scale concentrated poultry flocks within the affected area that have not yet been infected, allow on-site slaughtering at facilities designated by the provincial animal health authority;

đ) Sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization:

Sanitation: Collect solid waste for burning or burial; wash the floor and farming equipment with soap or detergent. Liquid waste must be treated with chemicals.

Disinfection and sterilization: After cleaning and mechanical sanitation, dry and then conduct disinfection and sterilization of the farm premises, farming equipment, and areas for destruction or burial of poultry.

Personnel involved in the handling and destruction of poultry infected with Newcastle disease must use appropriate personal protective equipment and undergo disinfection and sterilization upon completion of their work.

2. In cases where the affected area is caused by low-pathogenic virus, the following handling measures shall be applied:

a) Isolate sick poultry and organize enhanced care and feeding to improve the health of the poultry flock;

b) Organize investigations and surveillance of the poultry flock in the entire village;

c) Administer Newcastle disease vaccine to the chicken flock;

d) Strictly prohibit the transportation and sale of diseased poultry within a 21-day period from the last day of handling the diseased poultry flock.

Article 15. Control of Transportation During a Disease Outbreak

1. Delegating the authority of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, the Chairman of the District People's Committee shall issue a decision to establish quarantine checkpoints to control the transportation of poultry and poultry products entering and leaving the affected area. The quarantine checkpoint must have sufficient means and disinfectants to handle all entities exiting the affected area.

2. Healthy poultry may be transported under the following circumstances:

a) Healthy poultry flocks may be slaughtered and consumed within the commune;

b) Large-scale concentrated poultry flocks may be transported by specialized vehicles directly to slaughterhouses designated by the provincial veterinary office. The transportation must be supervised by the local animal health authority;

c) Poultry raised in safe zones for Newcastle disease may be transported and consumed normally within the province.

Article 16. Announcement of the End of the Disease and Resumption of Livestock Raising at Affected Sites

1. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee shall issue a decision to announce the end of the disease when all of the following conditions are met:

a) All chicken flocks within the epidemic area and threatened areas have been vaccinated with Newcastle vaccine and have developed immunity;

b) Twenty-one days have passed since the last chicken died or was destroyed, and no other chickens have contracted or died from Newcastle disease;

c) Sanitation, disinfection, and decontamination have been carried out twice a week continuously for two weeks in households and livestock farms affected by the disease, and in epidemic areas;

d) The provincial Animal Health Service has inspected and confirmed that the conditions for announcing the end of the disease as stipulated in points a, b, and c of this clause have been met, and has submitted a proposal for the announcement of the end of the disease in writing.

2. Conditions for resuming livestock raising:

a) Sanitation, disinfection, and decontamination have been carried out;

b) The livestock farm must be left empty for a minimum period of 21 days. Before resuming raising, the livestock farm must be cleaned and disinfected before raising can begin;

c) Chickens reintroduced into the farm must have a known origin and have been vaccinated with Newcastle vaccine as prescribed;

d) After resuming raising, strict and continuous monitoring for 40 days (according to the OIE surveillance protocol) is required to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 17. Responsibilities of Central Government Agencies

1. Responsibilities of the Animal Health Department

a) Develop the National Program on Prevention and Control of Newcastle Disease in Poultry to submit for approval by the competent authority; organize inspections, supervision, and guidance on the implementation of the program in localities;

b) Organize the development, guidance, and inspection of the implementation of vaccination plans and disease surveillance programs for Newcastle Disease in localities;

c) Organize nationwide inspections on the work of preventing and controlling Newcastle Disease.

2. Responsibilities of the Livestock Production Department

a) Develop the plan for the zoning and planning of poultry production to submit for approval by the competent authority; organize inspections, supervision, and guidance on the implementation of the zoning and planning of poultry production in localities;

b) Guide the registration and management of poultry production in localities;

c) Develop guidelines and propaganda materials to educate poultry farmers on practices that ensure environmental hygiene and biosecurity.

Article 18. Responsibilities of Local Government Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals

1. Responsibilities of the People's Committee at the provincial level

a) Direct the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and related agencies in localities to develop the Plan for the Zoning and Planning of Livestock Production, the Program on Prevention and Control of Newcastle Disease, and guidelines for establishing safe zones and facilities for Newcastle Disease in localities;

b) Organize the development and implementation of local vaccination plans and disease surveillance programs for Newcastle Disease;

c) Strengthen the local animal health system to meet the requirements for preventing and controlling Newcastle Disease;

d) Direct departments, agencies, and mass organizations in localities to regularly implement information dissemination and propaganda activities on the prevention and control of Newcastle Disease;

2. Responsibilities of the Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development

a) Develop proposals and submit them to the Provincial People's Committee for the Plan for the Zoning and Planning of Livestock Production, the Program on Prevention and Control of Newcastle Disease, and guidelines for establishing safe zones and facilities for Newcastle Disease in localities;

b) Regularly organize inspections and supervision of the prevention and control of Newcastle Disease in the province;

3. Responsibilities of the Provincial Animal Health Service

a) Organize and directly direct the work of preventing and controlling Newcastle Disease in the province; budget for the prevention and control of Newcastle Disease in the province;

b) Implement emergency reporting procedures when an outbreak occurs and report regularly on the disease situation and vaccination status to the Animal Health Department;

4. Responsibilities of District People's Committees

a) Coordinate with the Provincial Animal Health Service to direct the County Animal Health Stations, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals in localities to implement measures to prevent and control Newcastle Disease in counties;

b) Mobilize forces to serve the prevention and control of the disease, especially vaccination and the destruction of diseased poultry;

c) Allocate local government funds for the prevention and control of the disease in counties;

5. Responsibilities of the Agricultural Office, Economic Office, and County Animal Health Station

a) Directly implement the work of preventing and controlling Newcastle Disease in counties;

b) Provide technical guidance on preventive measures down to villages and hamlets;

c) Report promptly on financial needs, supplies, chemicals, vaccines, and labor to the County People's Committee and the Provincial Animal Health Service;

d) Monthly report on the prevention and control of Newcastle Disease to the Provincial Animal Health Service including the number of poultry, vaccination results, and the disease situation (if any) in counties;

6. Responsibilities of the Commune People's Committee

a) Establish a Steering Committee for the Prevention and Control of Livestock and Poultry Diseases at the commune level, including Newcastle Disease and existing diseases such as avian influenza, blue ear disease, and foot-and-mouth disease, with the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee as the Head, involving the Party Committee, administrative bodies, mass organizations, veterinary officers, health workers, and agricultural staff;

b) Arrange specialized teams to provide technical guidance, maintain constant presence, and compile information on poultry farming, vaccination results, and flock management;

c) Direct village chiefs to directly inspect and monitor disease situations; coordinate with mass organizations (Youth Union, Women's Union, Farmers' Association, Veterans' Association, and other organizations) to mobilize and educate the public about the dangers of Newcastle Disease in poultry farming and actively participate in vaccination campaigns and flock management. Each village should organize the signing of commitments to implement "disease prevention agreements" as stipulated in Clause 4, Article 5 of this Circular;

d) Establish a rapid response team for disease control, consisting of self-defense militia, youth, veterinary officers, and police to destroy diseased poultry, clean and disinfect, supervise people entering and leaving the infected area, and guard quarantine checkpoints;

7. Responsibilities of Commune Veterinary Officers and Commune Veterinary Assistants

a) Monitor and detect Newcastle Disease down to individual households and farms in the commune and report promptly to the Commune People's Committee and the County Animal Health Station;

b) Directly participate in disease prevention work, including administering vaccines;

8. Responsibilities of Village Chiefs, Ward Heads, or Neighborhood Group Leaders

Direct management of poultry flocks in villages, hamlets, and residential wards; cooperate with village, hamlet, commune, and ward veterinary stations to disseminate and guide organizations and individuals raising poultry; participate in Ni-cát-xơn disease prevention and control work at the local level.

Article 19. Responsibilities of household poultry farmers

1. Ensuring hygienic conditions for poultry farming; implementing Ni-cát-xơn disease prevention and control measures as directed by veterinary officers and local authorities.

2. Reporting immediately to the commune veterinary officer or the head of the village, hamlet, or residential ward when suspecting Ni-cát-xơn disease.

3. The household farmer shall bear full responsibility for allowing poultry to roam freely, thereby spreading the Ni-cát-xơn epidemic to other poultry farms.

Article 20. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect 45 days from the date of signature.

During implementation, if there are any difficulties or need for supplementation or amendment, please report to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for consideration and resolution./.