Directive No. 34/2005/CT-TTg On concentrating efforts to implement synchronously and effectively the emergency action plan for preventing and controlling avian influenza (H5N1) and human influenza pandemic

DIRECTIVE

On the concerted and effective implementation of the emergency action plan

to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks and human influenza pandemics

From August 2005 to date, the avian influenza outbreak across the country has subsided, with no new cases reported and no new patients infected with the avian influenza virus (H5N1). However, the pathogen remains present and poses a high risk of recurrence. Meanwhile, avian influenza and human influenza (H5N1) outbreaks are occurring and evolving complexly in many countries in the region and worldwide. Over the past century, four influenza pandemics originating from avian influenza have resulted in millions of deaths globally. In our country, since December 2003, three waves of avian influenza and human influenza (H5N1) outbreaks have occurred, leading to the destruction of millions of poultry and nearly a hundred people contracting the disease, with dozens dying. According to warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world faces a significant risk of avian influenza outbreaks and human influenza pandemics. Many countries around the world have developed emergency action plans for such outbreaks. To proactively address this situation with utmost effort and minimize losses, the Prime Minister issues the following directive:

From August 2005 to the present, avian influenza across the country has subsided, with no new outbreaks occurring and no new patients infected with the A(H5N1) virus, but the pathogen remains and there is a high potential for recurrence. Meanwhile, avian influenza and human A(H5N1) influenza are currently occurring and evolving complexly in many countries in the region and around the world. Over the past more than 100 years, four major influenza pandemics originating from avian influenza have occurred, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of millions of people. In our country, since December 2003, three waves of avian influenza and human A(H5N1) influenza have occurred, leading to the destruction of tens of millions of poultry and nearly one hundred people contracting the disease, with dozens dying. According to warnings from the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the world is facing the risk of an avian influenza outbreak and a human influenza pandemic. Many countries around the world have developed emergency action plans for avian influenza and a human influenza pandemic. To proactively respond with utmost effort to prevent and minimize losses in case of an avian influenza outbreak and a human influenza pandemic, the Prime Minister issues this Directive:

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Health, the National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control, and the National Steering Committee for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Human Influenza must finalize the emergency action plan to prevent and control avian influenza (H5N1) and human influenza pandemics, submit it to the Government for approval, and promptly implement it with a proactive spirit. At the same time, they must report to the Central Party Secretariat, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee for their opinions.

2. Relevant ministries, sectors, provincial People's Committees, and municipal People's Committees under the central government shall, based on the emergency action plan approved by the Government, promptly develop their own emergency action plans to proactively counteract the diseases with utmost effort, aiming to prevent and minimize losses in case of a pandemic.

The dissemination and implementation of the emergency action plan to prevent and control avian influenza and human influenza pandemics must be considered a critical and urgent task for party committees at all levels, local authorities, and the responsibility of each citizen. It requires mobilizing the strength of the entire political system to effectively implement this emergency action plan.

3. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Health must develop specific propaganda outlines regarding the emergency action plan. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will coordinate with the Central Propaganda Department, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Health, Education and Training, and other relevant ministries and sectors to direct mass media outlets to disseminate information and raise public awareness about the risks of avian influenza and human influenza pandemics, encouraging citizens to voluntarily and proactively take effective preventive measures. Incorrect and hasty reporting must be avoided.

4. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with provincial and municipal People's Committees and relevant ministries and sectors, must immediately direct the temporary limitation of poultry farming in areas with high disease risk, providing support policies for poultry farmers to shift to other industries. Continue implementing comprehensive biological and environmental hygiene measures (disinfection, sterilization) in preventing and controlling avian influenza, completing the vaccination schedule according to the approved plan, and closely monitoring the epidemiological situation of vaccinated poultry flocks. Plan and reorganize concentrated livestock farms, slaughterhouses, transport, consumption, veterinary hygiene, and food safety, particularly in major cities, industrial zones, and areas with high disease risk.

Direct specialized veterinary agencies to cooperate with Customs, Border Guard Forces, and Market Management Authorities to strictly handle the importation of live animals, poultry, and their products from countries with outbreaks or unclear origins, not in compliance with veterinary laws.

5. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, must closely monitor and update the situation of avian influenza and human influenza outbreaks in the region and globally, promptly reporting to the Prime Minister. Closely monitor the domestic situation to take timely measures. Seek and secure international support from countries and organizations in implementing the emergency action plan to prevent and control avian influenza and human influenza pandemics.

6. The Ministry of Health must urgently invest in equipment and upgrade healthcare facilities to meet the conditions for receiving and treating patients during a pandemic. In the short term, effectively utilize the budget approved by the Prime Minister to purchase sufficient stockpiles of medicines, 1,000 ventilators, and establish Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratories to serve emergency prevention and control efforts.

7. The Ministry of Finance must allocate the budget to purchase sufficient stockpiles of medicines, ventilators, chemicals, and protective equipment for disease prevention and control according to the plan approved by the Prime Minister.

Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of agencies under the Government, Chairmen of provincial and municipal People's Committees, and heads of units and related organizations are responsible for enforcing this Directive./.