Joint Circular No. 16/2013/TTLT-BYT-BNN&PTNT guiding the coordination in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for cooperation in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases

from animals to humans

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Pursuant to Decree No. 63/2012/NĐ-CP dated August 31, 2012 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development; and 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;

Pursuant to the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases;

Pursuant to the Ordinance on Animal Health;

On the proposal of the Director of the Preventive Medicine Department and the Director of the Animal Health Department;

The Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development issue this Circular guiding cooperation in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular stipulates the cooperation in surveillance, investigation, control of outbreaks, communication, training, and scientific research on preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases between units under the health sector and the agriculture sector. The list of zoonotic diseases is specified in Appendix 1 attached hereto.

Article 2. Contents of Cooperation

1. Surveillance of zoonotic diseases.

2. Organization of investigation and control of zoonotic disease outbreaks.

3. Communication on prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

4. Training and scientific research on prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Article 3. Principles of Implementation

1. Equality, respect, and mutual support for the common purpose of protecting, caring for, and improving public health.

2. Ensuring proactivity, timeliness, and continuity for all cooperative activities.

Chapter II

SURVEILLANCE OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Article 4. Contents of Cooperation in Surveillance of Zoonotic Diseases

1. Exchange of information on cases and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in animals or humans:

a) Information on cases and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in animals:

- Date of discovery of the first suspected or confirmed case or outbreak that may be transmitted to humans;

- Name and species of the diseased animal;

- Location of the cases and outbreaks in animals, number of cases, deaths, and infected herds;

- Clinical signs of animals suspected or confirmed to have zoonotic diseases;

- Test results: date of testing, testing method, number of samples tested, number of positive and negative tests;

- Characteristics of animal husbandry of diseased animals;

- Implemented preventive and control measures;

- Recommendations for further measures.

b) Information on cases and outbreaks of zoonotic diseases in humans:

- Onset date, date of recording the first suspected or confirmed human case or outbreak of zoonotic diseases;

- Location, number of cases, deaths;

- Main symptoms of cases and deaths;

- Test results: date of testing, testing method, number of samples tested, number of positive and negative tests;

- Risk factors;

- Implemented preventive and control measures;

- Recommendations for further measures.

2. Sharing of biological specimens:

a) All biological specimens from animals suspected of being able to transmit diseases to humans or from humans suspected of having zoonotic diseases collected during surveillance and outbreak investigations must be provided to the veterinary or health authority upon written request by the veterinary or health authority at the same level;

b) Timeframe for sharing biological specimens: within 48 hours from receipt of the request.

Article 5. Methods and Timeframes for Information Exchange in Surveillance of Zoonotic Diseases

1. Information exchange in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases in emergency situations or on a regular basis must be conducted in writing.

2. In urgent cases, information can be exchanged directly, via telephone, fax, or email; however, within 24 hours from the detection of suspected zoonotic disease cases or outbreaks in humans or animals, a written report must be submitted according to Appendix 2 or Appendix 3 issued together with this Circular.

3. Regular monthly, quarterly, and annual information exchanges regarding the situation of zoonotic diseases shall be carried out according to Appendix 4 or Appendix 5 issued together with this Circular.

Article 6. Assignment of Lead Units for Information Exchange in Surveillance of Zoonotic Diseases

1. Central level: The Preventive Medicine Department and the Animal Health Department.

2. Regional level:

a) Northern region: The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Animal Health Office Region 1, Animal Health Office Region 2 are responsible for exchanging information in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases for provinces under their jurisdiction as specified in Appendix 6 issued together with this Circular;

b) Central region: The Pasteur Institute Nha Trang and the Animal Health Office Region 3, Animal Health Office Region 4 are responsible for exchanging information in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases for provinces under their jurisdiction as specified in Appendix 6 issued together with this Circular;

c) Northwest region: The West Vietnam Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Animal Health Office Region 5 are responsible for exchanging information in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases for provinces under their jurisdiction as specified in Appendix 6 issued together with this Circular;

d) Southern region: The Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute and the Animal Health Office Region 6, Animal Health Office Region 7 are responsible for exchanging information in the surveillance of zoonotic diseases for provinces under their jurisdiction as specified in Appendix 6 issued together with this Circular.

3. Provincial level: The Provincial Preventive Medicine Center, city-level Preventive Medicine Center under the central government (hereinafter referred to as province), and the Provincial Animal Health Service.

4. District level: The District Health Center, district-level health center, town-level health center, city-level health center under the province (hereinafter referred to as district) or the District Preventive Medicine Center (for districts that have independent Preventive Medicine Centers) and the District Animal Health Station.

5. Commune level: The Commune Health Station, ward-level health station, town-level health station (hereinafter referred to as commune) and the Commune Livestock and Animal Health Board.

Chapter III

INVESTIGATION AND CONTROL OF OUTBREAKS

Article 7. Establishment of the Outbreak Investigation and Control Team

1. When suspecting an animal of being infected with a zoonotic disease, the animal health authority has the responsibility to advise the People's Committee at the same level to establish an outbreak investigation and control team, consisting of the following components:

a) Local government leadership;

b) Representative of the animal health authority;

c) Representative of the preventive medicine authority;

d) Representatives of other relevant authorities and units.

2. When suspecting or confirming a human patient of being infected with a zoonotic disease, the medical facility treating the patient has the responsibility to notify in writing within 24 hours to the preventive medicine authority at the same level, which will then notify in writing to the animal health authority at the same level to establish the outbreak investigation and control team as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 8. Investigation, handling of disease outbreaks, and reporting on disease situations

1. Disease outbreak investigation:

a) Investigate the source of infection;

b) Identify risk behaviors;

c) Collect samples from suspected patients, patients, animals suspected of transmitting the disease to humans, and conduct tests for confirmation;

d) Carry out disease outbreak handling.

2. Disease outbreak handling:

a) Handling of disease outbreaks among humans shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Health;

b) Handling of disease outbreaks among animals shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.

3. Reporting on the results of disease outbreak investigation and handling:

a) Report the results to the superior authority and local government immediately after completing the investigation and handling of the disease outbreak;

b) The publication of information on disease situations among humans and animals shall be carried out in accordance with the law.

Chapter IV

COMMUNICATION ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISEASES TRANSMITTED FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS

FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS

Article 9. Content of communication

1. Communication content:

a) Name of infectious diseases and epidemics;

b) Routes of transmission of infectious diseases;

c) Risk factors and behaviors;

d) Prevention and control measures.

2. Communication messages must be consistent between health and agriculture units regarding content and methods of communication.

Article 10. Assignment of communication implementation

1. In cases where there is an animal disease outbreak that has the potential to transmit to humans but no human cases have been detected: The Provincial Animal Health Department is the lead unit, coordinating with the Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine to develop communication messages on prevention and control of the epidemic and implement communication activities.

2. In cases where suspected or confirmed human cases of zoonotic diseases are discovered: The Provincial Center for Preventive Medicine is the lead unit, coordinating with the Provincial Animal Health Department to develop communication messages on prevention and control of the epidemic and implement communication activities.

Chapter V

TRAINING AND RESEARCH ON PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DISEASES TRANSMITTED FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS

TRANSMISSION FROM ANIMALS TO HUMANS

Article 11. Coordination in organizing training and seminars

1. Unify the development of training and seminar programs on the content of prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

2. Coordinate the organization of training and seminar activities according to the approved plan.

3. Send staff to participate in training and seminar programs at the request of the health sector or the agricultural sector.

Article 12. Coordination in scientific research

1. Share information and data related to the research topic upon written request of agencies under the health sector or the agricultural sector.

2. Send staff to participate in scientific research activities conducted by the health sector or the agricultural sector.

3. Notify the results of research on zoonotic diseases to health or agricultural units after formal acceptance.

Chapter VI

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 13. Responsibilities of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology - Ministry of Health

1. Lead unit of the Ministry of Health coordinating with the Animal Health Service - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to implement cooperative activities in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

2. Direct all cooperative activities between the health sector and the agricultural sector in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases for health sector units.

3. Coordinate with the Animal Health Service - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop and propose amendments to surveillance guidelines for zoonotic diseases; develop and implement plans for cooperative activities in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

4. Hold regular meetings every six months with the Animal Health Service - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and relevant units to evaluate cooperative activities in surveillance and prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Article 14. Responsibilities of the Animal Health Administration - Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. The focal point of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to coordinate with the Preventive Medicine Department - Ministry of Health in implementing cooperative activities to prevent and control zoonotic diseases.

2. Direct all cooperative activities between the health sector and agriculture sector in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases for units within the agricultural sector.

3. Coordinate with the Preventive Medicine Department - Ministry of Health to develop and propose amendments to guidelines for monitoring zoonotic diseases; build and develop plans for cooperative activities in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

4. Regularly, every six months, coordinate with the Preventive Medicine Department - Ministry of Health and related units to organize meetings to evaluate cooperative activities in monitoring and preventing zoonotic diseases.

Article 15. Responsibilities of the Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Pasteur Institute Nha Trang, West Central Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute

1. The focal point to coordinate with units specified in Clause 2, Article 6 of this Circular in implementing cooperative activities to prevent and control zoonotic diseases in the assigned area.

2. Direct, provide professional and technical support, organize inspections, monitor, verify pathogens causing zoonotic diseases at healthcare facilities in the assigned area.

3. Coordinate with agricultural sector units to conduct scientific research on zoonotic diseases.

4. Coordinate with Institutes of Malaria - Parasitology - Entomology and agricultural sector units in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases caused by parasites and insects in the assigned area.

5. Propose models for cooperation in monitoring, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases; develop training and workshop content.

6. Collect, analyze, assess, and store surveillance data on zoonotic diseases.

7. Share information, coordinate in organizing investigations, handling outbreaks, sharing disease samples, implementing preventive measures, coordinating in training and scientific research.

8. Regularly, every three months, organize coordination meetings with units specified in Clause 2, Article 6 of this Circular and related units to evaluate cooperative activities in monitoring and preventing zoonotic diseases in the assigned area.

Article 16. Responsibilities of Regional Veterinary Authorities

1. The focal point to coordinate with units specified in Clause 2, Article 6 of this Circular in implementing cooperative activities to prevent and control zoonotic diseases in the assigned area.

2. Direct, provide professional and technical support, organize inspections, monitor, verify pathogens causing zoonotic diseases at agricultural units in the assigned area.

3. Coordinate with health sector units in the responsible area to conduct scientific research on zoonotic diseases.

4. Propose models for cooperation in monitoring, prevention, and control; develop training and workshop content.

5. Collect, analyze, assess, and store surveillance data on zoonotic diseases.

6. Share information, coordinate in organizing investigations, handling outbreaks, sharing disease samples, implementing preventive measures, coordinating in training and scientific research.

7. Regularly, every three months, coordinate with units specified in Clause 2, Article 6 of this Circular and related units to organize coordination meetings to evaluate cooperative activities in monitoring and preventing zoonotic diseases in the assigned area.

Article 17. Responsibilities of the Department of Health

1. Direct units under the health sector within the province to implement activities related to cooperation between the health and agriculture sectors in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

2. Organize inspections, supervision, and urging units to implement cooperation between the health and agriculture sectors in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases within their jurisdiction.

3. Coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to develop joint activity plans for submission to the Provincial People's Committee for approval; propose priority activities to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 18. Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

1. Direct units under the agricultural sector within the province to implement activities related to cooperation between the health and agriculture sectors in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

2. Organize inspections, supervision, and urging units to implement cooperation between the health and agriculture sectors in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases within their jurisdiction.

3. Coordinate with the Department of Health to develop joint activity plans for submission to the Provincial People's Committee for approval; propose priority activities to the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Article 19. Responsibilities of the Provincial Preventive Health Center

1. Serve as the lead unit, advising the Department of Health on implementing cooperative activities to prevent and control zoonotic diseases within its jurisdiction.

2. Carry out surveillance, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases: share information, organize investigations, handle outbreaks, share disease samples, implement preventive measures, cooperate in training and scientific research.

3. Direct, inspect, and supervise units in the health sector at the district and commune levels to implement cooperative activities in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

4. Hold monthly coordination meetings every three months with provincial Animal Health Sub-departments and relevant units to evaluate cooperative activities in surveillance and prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Article 20. Responsibilities of the Provincial Animal Health Sub-department

1. Serve as the lead unit, advising the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on implementing cooperative activities to prevent and control zoonotic diseases within its jurisdiction.

2. Carry out surveillance, prevention, and control of zoonotic diseases: share information, organize investigations, handle outbreaks, share disease samples, implement preventive measures, cooperate in training and scientific research.

3. Direct, inspect, and supervise units in the agricultural sector at the district and commune levels to implement cooperative activities in preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases.

4. Hold monthly coordination meetings every three months with provincial Preventive Health Centers and relevant units to evaluate cooperative activities in surveillance and prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Chapter VII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 21. Effective Date

This Circular takes effect from July 15, 2013.

In the course of implementation, if there are difficulties, they should be promptly reported for the Inter-Ministerial Task Force to study and amend accordingly./.