Decision No. 12/2005/QĐ-BTNMT On the issuance of the Emergency Action Plan for Avian Influenza and Pandemic Influenza Prevention and Control

DECISION OF THE MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

Regarding the issuance of the Emergency Action Plan to prevent and control avian influenza and human pandemic influenza and the influenza pandemic

 

MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

 Pursuant to Decree No. 91/2002/NĐ-CP dated November 11, 2002 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

Pursuant to Directive No. 34/2005/CT-TTg dated October 15, 2005 of the Prime Minister on concentrating efforts to implement synchronously and effectively the emergency action plan to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) and human pandemic influenza when it occurs;

At the proposal of the Director of the Environmental Protection Department and the Head of the Legal Department,

 DECISION:

 Article 1. This Decision promulgates the Emergency Action Plan to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) and human pandemic influenza.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 3. Chairmen of Provincial People's Committees under the Central Government, Heads of units directly under the Ministry, Directors of Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

 

PLAN

 

EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN TO PREVENT AND CONTROL AVIAN INFLUENZA (H5N1)

AND HUMAN PANDEMIC INFLUENZA

(Issued together with Decision No. 12/2005/QĐ-BTNMT dated November 9, 2005)

of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment)

Avian influenza in our country first appeared at the end of December 2003, and by the end of April 2004, the disease was basically under control in the country. However, the disease re-emerged sporadically in mid-June 2004 and again at the end of December 2004 until now.

Along with avian influenza, type A influenza with subtype H5N1 has also appeared in humans. To date, there have been three outbreaks with a total of more than 90 cases of illness, including over 40 deaths in 32 provinces and centrally governed cities.

Immediately after the outbreak of avian influenza, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment organized survey teams to assess the actual situation in some localities such as Ha Tay, Long An, Tien Giang... and directly directed the work of burying and treating environmental pollution caused by avian influenza. In addition to direct guidance in some localities, the Ministry also urgently issued various documents to guide the destruction of diseased poultry, monitoring, prevention, and treatment of environmental pollution in burial areas. Meanwhile, the Ministry also coordinated with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to direct related units to conserve rare poultry genetic resources.

Implementing the directives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, many Departments of Natural Resources and Environment have actively cooperated with relevant units in their localities to guide measures for destroying diseased poultry, ensuring environmental safety, quarantining the epidemic, and limiting the spread of the disease.

Currently, the pathogen circulating in poultry and aquatic birds is quite widespread, with a very high risk of becoming a pandemic. Meanwhile, the incomplete handling of small and scattered avian influenza outbreaks allows the H5N1 virus to spread widely into the environment. At the same time, the situation of type A influenza in humans continues to evolve complexly.

To fulfill the task of protecting the environment in epidemic areas and throughout the country, and to effectively curb avian influenza H5N1 and human pandemic influenza, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment promulgates the Emergency Action Plan to prevent and control avian influenza and human pandemic influenza with the following main contents:

A. OBJECTIVES OF THE PLAN

1. Organize the implementation of environmental protection activities according to the directives of the National Steering Committee and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and related agencies in synchronizing activities to prevent and control avian influenza and human pandemic influenza.

2. Develop and implement measures to monitor and control the environment to warn and prevent the spread of pollution caused by the epidemic.

3. Effectively implement measures to treat pollution and protect the environment during a pandemic.

4. Control pollution and restore the environment after a pandemic.

B. CONTENTS OF THE PLAN

I. Stage 1: Avian influenza has occurred and affected human health (corresponding to phases 1, 2, and 3 of WHO - Appendix 1 attached to this Plan).

1. Establish the Steering Committee for Preventing and Controlling Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Influenza of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, consisting of heads of relevant units. The Environmental Protection Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the permanent agency assisting the Steering Committee in implementing the Plan. The Steering Committee is responsible for:

a) Implementing tasks assigned by the National Steering Committee for Preventing and Controlling Avian Influenza;

b) Developing response plans for a pandemic and controlling and treating environmental pollution caused by the epidemic;

c) Coordinating with provincial People's Committees:

- Organizing, urging, and inspecting the implementation of the Plan by the National Steering Committee;

- Guiding procedures and methods for burying, destroying, and burying the dead, planning burial sites for diseased poultry and burial areas ensuring environmental hygiene conditions;

- Mobilizing existing resources immediately, ensuring technical equipment and personal protective equipment conditions for monitoring and treating environmental pollution;

- Directing the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to cooperate with relevant departments to develop plans to ensure clean water supply for the people when an epidemic occurs;

d) Coordinating with ministries, sectors, and localities to organize inspections of the implementation of conservation of genetic sources and rare poultry species to avoid being affected by the pandemic; implementing measures to respond to migratory birds to prevent the spread of the epidemic.

2. The Environmental Protection Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is the permanent agency assisting the Steering Committee, responsible for performing the following tasks:

a) Proactively coordinating with relevant agencies and organizations to build, complete, and disseminate technical procedures and guidelines for monitoring and treating environmental pollution caused by the epidemic;

b) Directing, urging, and coordinating with the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment and related agencies to regularly inspect and monitor the environment in concentrated livestock breeding and slaughter areas, burial sites for diseased poultry, and burial areas for those who died from infection; controlling environmental pollution and preventing the spread of the epidemic;

c) Organizing a network of experts to provide technical support, monitoring, and treating environmental pollution, serving the implementation of Plan activities;

d) Serve as the point of contact for providing and exchanging information with the National Steering Committee, ministries, sectors, localities, and international organizations regarding the development of the disease and environmental pollution caused by the disease;

đ) Regularly report to the Ministry's Steering Committee on the implementation of the Plan;

3. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall be responsible for:

a) Serving as the point of contact for updating and providing information about the disease situation and environmental pollution at the locality to the Ministry's Steering Committee;

b) Directing the burial and destruction of poultry in accordance with regulations and supervising the environment in concentrated livestock breeding areas, slaughterhouses, burial sites, and destruction sites for poultry within the locality;

c) Developing plans to protect the local environment, drafting plans to mobilize human resources, and enhancing monitoring and handling capabilities to prepare for disease outbreaks;

d) Regularly reporting to the Ministry's Steering Committee and the provincial People's Committee on the implementation and organization of the Plan;

II. Stage 2: Avian influenza infects humans and human-to-human transmission is confirmed (equivalent to phase 4 and 5 of WHO - Appendix 1 attached to this Plan).

1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Steering Committee shall be responsible for:

a) Mobilizing and coordinating forces to implement specific measures to isolate and handle environmental pollution in affected areas and adjacent regions;

b) Directing relevant units of the Ministry and Departments of Natural Resources and Environment to guide, inspect, and strictly supervise compliance with regulations on the destruction and burial of poultry and the burial of those who died from the disease;

c) Establishing a hotline to promptly collect and process information on the pandemic and direct activities accordingly;

2. The permanent office of the Steering Committee shall undertake the following tasks:

a) Regularly update, report, and disseminate information on the scale of the disease, level of pollution, and environmental incidents caused by the disease;

b) Coordinate resources to participate and cooperate in implementing disease control activities as directed and assigned by the Steering Committee;

3. Relevant units under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall participate in environmental monitoring activities and guide and inspect compliance with environmental protection regulations in localities as assigned by the Steering Committee;

4. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall undertake the following tasks:

a) Serve as the local hotline information point, regularly update, report, and disseminate information on the scale, level of the disease, pollution situation, and environmental incidents caused by the disease in the locality;

b) Strictly inspect and supervise compliance with procedures and regulations on the destruction and burial of poultry and the burial of those who died from the disease;

c) Cooperate with related units to monitor the environment and support the control of disease outbreaks according to regulations, including disinfection, sterilization, and cleaning of livestock breeding areas, slaughterhouses, poultry trading areas, burial zones, and households;

d) Warn about pollution conditions and their spread, particularly water sources. Cooperate with related units to delineate and address polluted areas and ensure clean water supply to the community;

III. Stage 3: Pandemic stage (corresponding to phase 6 of WHO - Appendix 1 attached to this Plan);

1. Responsibilities of the Steering Committee and its Permanent Office:

a) Maintain a 24/24 hotline to connect information with the National Steering Committee, ministries, sectors, localities, advisory groups, monitoring stations, and the community. Organize regular shifts to receive and process pandemic-related information, promptly report to the National Steering Committee and the Prime Minister for guidance on resolution;

b) Mobilize all forces of the Ministry, local environmental agencies, and the network of experts to guide, supervise, and implement environmental protection regulations;

c) Quickly implement measures to handle pollution and resolve environmental incidents in areas where the disease has occurred;

d) Coordinate with the National Steering Committee to comprehensively implement environmental protection and health activities for the community;

2. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment:

a) Mobilize maximum forces to guide, supervise, and implement environmental protection regulations in livestock breeding areas, destruction, burial sites for poultry, treatment facilities, and burial zones;

b) Quickly implement emergency response activities to handle environmental incidents according to the directives of the Steering Committee and the provincial People's Committee;

IV. Stage 4: Post-pandemic period

1. The Ministry's Steering Committee shall be responsible for:

a) Conducting a comprehensive assessment of environmental pollution, calculating losses, and forecasting environmental risks due to the pandemic;

b) Announcing the current environmental status, long-term pollution risks, and potential health risks to the community, and disseminating preventive measures through media and public information channels;

c) Leading and coordinating the development of plans to clean up the environment in polluted areas post-pandemic;

d) Organizing a summary and lessons learned from the preparation and implementation of the Plan. Supplementing and perfecting the Plan for application when the disease recurs;

2. The permanent office of the Steering Committee shall undertake the following tasks:

a) Directing monitoring and supervision units to maintain reasonable levels of environmental monitoring systems to ensure early detection and warning of environmental pollution risks;

b) Coordinating with related units to inventory chemicals and equipment used and remaining, and planning for storage, replenishment, and use if necessary;

c) Guiding and directing activities to clean and restore the environment in polluted areas;

3. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment shall undertake the following tasks:

a) Assessing the environmental condition of the locality post-pandemic, developing plans for cleaning and restoring the environment in polluted areas;

b) Implementing preparatory work and readiness to respond when the disease recurs;

C. IMPLEMENTATION

I. Establishment of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Implementation Steering Committee

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment establishes The Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Human Pandemic Influenza Control The Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment shall be the Chairman of the Steering Committee, the Director of the Environmental Protection Department shall be the Vice-Chairman, and the members of the Steering Committee shall include the Heads of relevant units including: the Environment Department, the Department for Environmental Impact Assessment and Review, the Water Resources Management Department, the Inspectorate, the International Cooperation Department, and the Ministry’s Office.

The Environmental Protection Department shall serve as the permanent agency assisting the Steering Committee in organizing and implementing emergency action plan activities of the Ministry.

II. Assignment of Implementation Responsibilities

1. Environmental Protection Department

a) Inspect and supervise the implementation of the Plan's contents nationwide and promptly report to the Ministry's Steering Committee;

b) Update and disseminate information regularly;

c) Develop and disseminate technical guidance procedures;

d) Compile a network of experts;

đ) Enhance the capacity of the monitoring network, budget for expenses, and prepare equipment, chemicals, and labor protection supplies.

2. Units under the Ministry

a) The Planning and Finance Department and the International Cooperation Department shall be responsible for balancing financial resources and seeking international support to implement the Plan's contents;

b) Relevant units shall cooperate in carrying out tasks within the Plan according to the assignment of the Steering Committee.

3. Provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment

a) Coordinate with the Ministry's Steering Committee and local authorities to organize and implement tasks according to the Plan;

b) Participate in developing technical procedures and guidelines on the disposal and burial of poultry and human remains suitable for local natural, economic, and social conditions;

c) Participate in planning sites for the disposal and burial of poultry and areas for human burial, ensuring environmental safety conditions;

d) Organize inspections, directives, and enforcement of the Ministry's Plan;

đ) Coordinate with related provincial departments and agencies to develop plans for providing clean water to residents in polluted areas;

e) Implement directives from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's Steering Committee and send representatives when requested; BASED ON THE g) Regularly report to the Ministry's Steering Committee's permanent agency on disease situations and pollution mitigation measures at the local level.

III. Implementation Schedule

1. Activities for Phase 1 must be completed by November 30, 2005.

2. Carry out assigned tasks within the deadlines set by the National Steering Committee and as outlined in the Plan.

D. FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR PLAN IMPLEMENTATION

Based on assigned tasks in the Plan, the Ministry's Steering Committee shall balance and allocate funds from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's state budget for economic affairs, the Vietnam Environmental Protection Fund, international assistance, and other sources to ensure Plan implementation.

For tasks implemented by localities in the Plan, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered cities shall be responsible for balancing and allocating local government budget funds, international cooperation support, and other sources. In cases where local funds cannot meet the needs of Plan implementation, they shall promptly report to the Ministry's Steering Committee./.

For tasks to be carried out by localities under the Plan, the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for balancing and allocating funds from local budget expenditures, supporting international cooperation, and other sources. In cases where local funds cannot meet the needs of implementing the Plan at the local level, they shall promptly report to the Steering Board of the Ministry./.