Directive No. 1141/CT-BNN-TY on Strengthening Efforts to Prevent and Control Animal Diseases, Particularly Swine Flu

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening Measures to Prevent and Control Animal Diseases

To Prevent Swine Flu

Recently, swine flu has erupted among humans in Mexico and there is a risk of its spread. Although the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) has not yet isolated the swine flu virus from animals and there is no evidence that this virus can be transmitted through food, preventive measures are necessary. Meanwhile, other diseases such as avian influenza H5N1 and foot-and-mouth disease continue to occur mainly in unvaccinated livestock and poultry in some households in certain areas. The main cause is that local authorities have not been strict enough in directing and inspecting the implementation of vaccination for livestock and poultry in their regions. In particular, some localities have not promptly provided funds for vaccination work. Additionally, the organization of monitoring, detecting, and reporting diseases is slow, making it difficult for prevention, containment, and eradication of outbreaks.

Given the above situation, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Head of the National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control, requests the Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, and member ministries and sectors of the National Steering Committee to urgently implement the following contents:

1. Issue directives to local authorities, party committees at all levels, and relevant departments regarding the strengthening of measures to prevent and control animal diseases. Assign specific responsibilities to local authorities and grassroots party committees in monitoring, reporting diseases, and organizing vaccination campaigns; strictly prohibit concealing disease outbreaks.

2. Form inspection teams to urge and check disease prevention and control activities for livestock and poultry down to breeding facilities and households, especially the vaccination campaign against avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease, and other vaccines as prescribed. Timely reward those localities that perform well, while taking appropriate actions against organizations and individuals who fail to comply with regulations.

3. Mobilize all forces to effectively carry out the first round of vaccination campaign in 2009 for avian influenza and foot-and-mouth disease vaccines. Ensure proper techniques and achieve the prescribed coverage rates. Absolutely avoid stockpiling and wasting vaccines.

4. Direct veterinary agencies to organize surveillance and take preventive measures against swine flu outbreaks in pig herds, promptly detect initial cases, and handle them according to the guidelines of the Veterinary Administration.

5. Conduct public awareness campaigns on disease prevention measures, focusing on the vaccination campaign to gain public support for voluntarily applying prescribed preventive measures; simultaneously disseminate information to the public about swine flu to prevent panic.

6. Request member ministries and sectors of the National Steering Committee to issue directives to relevant agencies from central to local levels to implement disease prevention activities according to their assigned functions and tasks./.

HEAD OF THE NATIONAL STEERING COMMITTEE

FOR AVIAN INFLUENZA PREVENTION AND CONTROL

6. Request the member ministries and sectors of the National Steering Committee to issue directives guiding functional agencies from central to local levels to implement disease prevention and control activities according to their assigned functions and responsibilities./.