Circular No. 52/2011/TT-BNNPTNT on measures to prevent and control diseases in farmed shrimp

CIRCULAR

Regulations on measures to prevent and control diseases in farmed shrimp

___________________

Pursuant to Decree No. 01/2008/NĐ-CP dated January 3, 2008 of the Government stipulating 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;

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; Decree No. 119/2008/NĐ-CP dated November 28, 2008 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 33/2005/NĐ-CP;

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development hereby stipulates measures for preventing and controlling diseases in farmed shrimp, as follows:

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of regulation, applicable subjects

Thông tư này quy định chi tiết khoản 4 Điều 38 Luật Thủy sản số 18/2017/QH14 đã được sửa đổi, bổ sung tại điểm c khoản 21 Điều 14 Luật số 146/2025/QH15.

This Circular stipulates regulations on preventing and controlling diseases in farmed shrimp (including shrimp broodstock and marketable shrimp) and the responsibilities of agencies, organizations, and individuals involved in activities related to preventing and controlling diseases in farmed shrimp.

Thông tư này áp dụng đối với tổ chức, cá nhân có liên quan đến hoạt động kinh doanh đối tượng thủy sản nuôi chủ lực trên lãnh thổ Việt Nam.

Organizations and individuals of Vietnam or foreign organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp production, business, and farming within the Territory of Vietnam and relevant management agencies throughout the country.

Article 2. Interpretation of Terms

1. Disease outbreak site is a pond/farm within a farm or a cluster of households engaged in shrimp farming where there is a significant number of shrimp deaths with the cause determined to be due to microorganisms.

2. Horizontal transmission is the method of transmitting a disease-causing agent from one organism to another through water.

3. Vertical transmission is the method of transmitting a disease-causing agent from parents to offspring.

Article 3. Some dangerous diseases causing mass deaths and widespread transmission in farmed shrimp

1. White Spot Disease (WSD) This is a common disease that causes the greatest damage to farmed shrimp.

a) Other names: Penaeid Acute Viremia (PAV);

b) Pathogen: White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV);

c) Affected species: Giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) and other crustaceans at all stages of development;

d) Distribution, seasonality, transmission:

White Spot Disease first appeared in China in 1992 and then rapidly spread to other countries such as Thailand, Japan, Indonesia. In Vietnam, it was first detected in 1993.

White Spot Disease usually appears during the transitional period between rainy seasons or late rainy season early dry season when shrimp are about 45-60 days old.

The disease spreads through horizontal and vertical transmission routes;

đ) Clinical characteristics: Shrimp affected by the disease have a pink to red coloration, with white spots ranging from 0.5-3 mm in diameter appearing on the inner surface of the chitin layer of the thorax and abdominal segments 5 and 6, which then spread throughout the body. Mortality rates can reach up to 100% within 3-5 days.

2. Yellowhead Disease (YHD) a) Pathogen:

Yellowhead complex virus (YHCV); c) Distribution and transmission:

b) Affected species: Giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei);

The disease was first found in Thailand at the beginning of the 1990s and then spread to Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and China. Yellowhead Disease spreads through horizontal transmission; d) Clinical characteristics: Shrimp affected by the disease exhibit unusual overeating behavior, followed by cessation of feeding, with yellow discoloration of the head region and overall pallor of the body, slow swimming near the surface and edges of ponds, and death within 2-4 days with increasing mortality rates reaching up to 100%;

3. Taura Syndrome (TS) Taura Syndrome Virus (TSV);

b) Affected species: whiteleg shrimp (

Yellowhead complex virus (YHCV); ) at the age of 14-40 days;

The disease first appeared in Ecuador in 1991 on whiteleg shrimp and quickly spread to Latin American countries such as Hawaii, Colombia, Peru, and some Asian countries like China, Taiwan. There has been no official report of this disease in Vietnam. Taura Syndrome can spread through both horizontal and vertical transmission routes;Litopenaeus vannameiAcute form: the shrimp's tail swells and turns red. Mortality rate ranges from 40-90% within 5-20 days.

The disease Transitional phase: black spots appear on the epidermis, the tail swells and turns red (commonly referred to as red tail disease).

If the disease progresses to a chronic form, numerous melanin spots will appear.

3. Taura Syndrome (TS)

4. Infectious Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis (IHHNV)

Caused by the Infection Hypodermal and Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus (IHHNV).

) at all stages

The disease is commonly seen in whiteleg shrimp populations in America and Asia such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, etc. The disease spreads through both horizontal and vertical transmission routes.

a) Pathogen: Shrimp exhibit symptoms of lethargy, weak activity, deformed claws, often turning blue before death, and cloudy abdominal tissue. Whiteleg shrimp show deformities, curled antennae, rough or deformed chitin. The stunted growth rate in whiteleg shrimp broodstock infected with IHHNV is typically 10-30%, rising to 50% in severe cases.

The disease first appeared in Ecuador in 1991 on whiteleg shrimp and quickly spread to Latin American countries such as Hawaii, Colombia, Peru, and some Asian countries like China, Taiwan. There has been no official report of this disease in Vietnam. Giant tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon), whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei5. Hepatopancreatic Parvovirus Disease (HPVD).

The disease Hepatopancreas Parvovirus

(HPV).

3. Taura Syndrome (TS) Juvenile tiger shrimp

The disease is widely distributed in Asia, Australia, Africa, and America. It was first detected in Vietnam in farmed tiger shrimp in Quang Ninh province in 2002. The disease spreads through

Yellowhead complex virus (YHCV); Infected shrimp exhibit non-specific symptoms including slow growth, reduced activity, cloudy bodies, shells, and appendages often covered with organisms. The hepatopancreas is destroyed and turns white. Mortality rates can range from 50-100% within four weeks. 6. Necrotizing Hepatopancreatitis (NHP)

The disease first appeared in Ecuador in 1991 on whiteleg shrimp and quickly spread to Latin American countries such as Hawaii, Colombia, Peru, and some Asian countries like China, Taiwan. There has been no official report of this disease in Vietnam. A Gram-negative bacterium resembling Rickettsia, called Necrotizing Hepatopancreatitis Bacterium (NHPB)..

The disease Whiteleg shrimp ( d) Clinical characteristics: Đảm bảo đèn báo hiệu trên đường bộ tại đường ngang hoạt động theo đúng yêu cầu kỹ thuật và theo quy định tại Điều 6 của Thông tư này;

3. Taura Syndrome (TS) Penaeus vannamei

), Pacific white shrimp ( P. stylirostris

Yellowhead complex virus (YHCV); ), tiger shrimp (

The disease first appeared in Ecuador in 1991 on whiteleg shrimp and quickly spread to Latin American countries such as Hawaii, Colombia, Peru, and some Asian countries like China, Taiwan. There has been no official report of this disease in Vietnam. P. monodon) in post-larval, broodstock, and adult stages.c) Distribution and transmission:Primarily in the Western Hemisphere including countries such as the United States, Mexico, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela.Clinical signs are not clear, including: sluggish swimming, reduced appetite, slow growth, soft shell, and atrophied hepatopancreas. Examination of pond corners reveals empty intestines, dirty intestines, hyperplasia or secondary bacterial infection of intestinal epithelium, and black spots in the hepatopancreas. Mortality rates can reach up to 95% in untreated shrimp populations.7. Infectious Myonecrosis (IMN)Infectious myonecrosis virus.

c) Distribution: Mainly in the Western Hemisphere including countries such as the United States, Mexico, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela.

3. Taura Syndrome (TS)

The clinical signs are not obvious, including: slow swimming shrimp, reduced feeding, slow growth, soft shells, and atrophy of the hepatopancreas. Examination at pond/canal corners reveals diseased shrimp with empty, dirty intestines, hyperplasia or secondary bacterial infection of the intestinal epithelium, along with black spots appearing in the hepatopancreas. Mortality rates can reach up to 95% in untreated shrimp populations.

7. Myonecrosis disease or viral white muscle disease (IMNV)

Yellowhead complex virus (YHCV); Infectious myonecrosis virus.

The disease first appeared in Ecuador in 1991 on whiteleg shrimp and quickly spread to Latin American countries such as Hawaii, Colombia, Peru, and some Asian countries like China, Taiwan. There has been no official report of this disease in Vietnam. whiteleg shrimp (most susceptible), black tiger shrimp at all stages of growth;

The disease The IMNV disease was first detected in whiteleg shrimp populations in Mexico in 2004. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) included it in the list of diseases to be monitored in the Asia region.

The disease spreads both d) Clinical characteristics: horizontally and d) Clinical characteristics: vertically.

d) Clinical characteristics:

Characterized by necrosis starting from small points and gradually spreading, often resulting in the shrimp's tail turning milky white. Infected whiteleg shrimp with muscle necrosis have a mortality rate of 35-55%, sometimes even higher. High salt concentration and temperature levels favor the outbreak of IMNV. Muscle necrosis has the potential to infect other shrimp species, including black tiger shrimp.

8. Some newly emerging diseases

a) Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome:

- Pathogen: The pathogen causing the disease has not been clearly identified.

- Affected species: It appears frequently in black tiger shrimp 20-30 days after stocking and in whiteleg shrimp 30-35 days after stocking.

- Distribution and spread: In April 2011, the disease severely affected the Mekong Delta provinces, particularly Soc Trang and Bac Lieu, causing mortality rates exceeding 80%.

- Pathological characteristics: At the initial stage, symptoms are not clear. Shrimp grow slowly and usually die at the bottom of ponds. In subsequent stages, diseased shrimp exhibit soft shells and color changes. Upon dissection, the liver is found to be swollen or shrunken, and the hepatopancreas shows signs of necrosis. Histopathological examination reveals black spots on necrotic hepatopancreas tissue, with bacteria present in the protoplasm and connective tissues of cells.

b) For other new diseases where the causative agent has not been identified but which have the potential to spread rapidly and cause significant damage to shrimp farming organizations and individuals, the Department of Animal Health directly directs the implementation of measures to prevent and control the disease.

Chapter II

PREVENTION OF DISEASES

Article 4. Propaganda for Prevention and Control of Diseases in Shrimp

1. The Department of Animal Health develops content and programs for propaganda on preventing and controlling common diseases and dangerous diseases in farmed shrimp. It guides provincial Animal Health Services (hereinafter referred to as Provincial Animal Health Service) or agencies assigned the task of managing Tanimal health Tinspection (hereinafter referred to as Local Animal Health Management Agency) to implement.

2. People's Committees at all levels direct specialized agencies and mass organizations to carry out information dissemination at the local level according to the content of propaganda on disease prevention and control to shrimp farming organizations and individuals; shrimp production, business, and transportation and consumption in each village, commune, ward, town, district, and city. Information dissemination work must be carried out continuously, comprehensively, and thoroughly so that the above entities understand correctly and fully and take proactive measures to prevent and control diseases, including:

a) Encouraging the application of good aquaculture practices (GAP) in shrimp farming as recommended by the Aquaculture Service or Fisheries Service;

b) Using seedstock with clear origins, inspected, and meeting quality standards;

c) Propagandizing for shrimp farming organizations and individuals, shrimp producers, and traders to commit to "three nos": no concealment of disease outbreaks; no discharge of untreated pond water containing diseased shrimp into the environment; no disposal of dead or diseased shrimp outside the environment;

d) Propagandizing for shrimp farming organizations and individuals to gradually change farming methods, shifting from scattered, extensive farming to concentrated, improved extensive, semi-intensive, and intensive farming according to local aquaculture planning.

Article 5. Application of shrimp farming and shrimp breeding using biosecurity methods

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp farming and shrimp breeding must comply with the following requirements:

a) Shrimp farming ponds and breeding ponds must be located within the planned area for shrimp farming as designated by the competent authority;

b) Prepare shrimp farming and breeding ponds according to the prescribed procedures: clean and disinfect the ponds, dry the bottom, and sterilize the pond bottom and water to ensure a suitable environment for shrimp growth and development;

c) Have separate water supply and drainage systems. Water entering the ponds must be tested for quality before use. Before discharging into the environment, water from shrimp farming ponds and breeding facilities must be treated;

d) Shrimp seedlings and parent shrimp used for breeding must have clear origins and be accompanied by a health inspection certificate issued Animal Health Bureau by the Animal Health Service; shrimp seedlings must be uniform in size and appropriate for the specified age group for release;

e) Follow the local seasonal schedule for releasing seedlings;

f) Use feed with clear origin and expiration date, ensuring quality and proper storage according to the manufacturer's instructions;

g) Workers must thoroughly clean themselves before coming into contact with the ponds and when preparing and feeding the shrimp;

h) Use drugs, chemicals, and biological products listed in the permitted catalog for aquaculture to treat the environment, prevent and cure diseases, and manage the health of farmed shrimp. Use them strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions or local fisheries management agencies;

i) Regularly monitor environmental indicators in the ponds (pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, toxic gases) according to the guidelines of the local Fisheries Breeding Service;

j) Ponds and breeding facilities must have dedicated equipment that must be cleaned thoroughly before and after use and stored properly;

k) Apply technical shrimp farming procedures as directed by the aquaculture management agency.

Article 6. Monitoring and Disease Detection

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp breeding must implement disease monitoring programs:

a) Test and examine pathogens in parent shrimp upon entry into the breeding facility and periodically test for diseases during the breeding process; test pathogens in shrimp seedlings before sale;

b) Ensure veterinary hygiene conditions and production conditions at the breeding facility.

2. Organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp farming must conduct disease surveillance:

a) Daily check the swimming activity of shrimp (especially during weather changes); observe external appearance (color, spots on shrimp, food in the gut); identify signs of illness (floating heads, gathering at the edges, slow swimming, color changes, soft shells, black gills) and take appropriate measures (adjust water quality parameters, feed);

b) Collect samples to test growth and examine dangerous pathogens affecting farmed shrimp to take appropriate measures (if conditions permit).

3. The Animal Health Service: develop and implement disease monitoring plans (monitoring shrimp health status, regularly or urgently collecting samples for testing) as approved by the provincial People's Committee to detect diseases early and promptly.

b) Ensuring veterinary hygiene conditions and production conditions at breeding facilities.

2. Organizations and individuals raising shrimp must conduct disease surveillance:

a) Daily, monitor the swimming activity of shrimp (especially during weather changes); observe external appearance (color, debris on shrimp, food in the gut); identify pathological signs (floating heads, gathering at the edges, slow swimming, drifting towards the edges, refusing to eat, color changes, soft shells, dark gills) to take appropriate measures (adjust water quality parameters, feed).

b) Collect samples for testing growth and pathogen analysis in farmed shrimp to implement suitable measures (if conditions permit).

3. Animal Health District Office: develop and implement disease surveillance plans (monitoring shrimp health status, conducting regular or emergency sampling for testing) according to the plan approved by the Provincial People's Committee to detect diseases early and promptly.

Article 7. Quarantine and Transport Control

1. Import quarantine and border transport control:

a) Imported shrimp broodstock must be isolated, sampled, and tested for pathogens according to current regulations and guidelines issued by the Department of Animal Health.

b) The Chairman of the People's Committee of border provinces shall direct all levels and sectors to strengthen inspection, supervision, prevention, and handling of illegally imported shrimp broodstock.

c) Border quarantine stations shall regularly disinfect and sterilize all means of transportation carrying imported shrimp broodstock and commercial shrimp at the border gates.

2. The Animal Health Service shall implement:

a) Monitor diseases in all imported shrimp broodstock lots after the isolation quarantine period.

b) Inspect and issue health certificates for shrimp broodstock lots originating from breeding facilities that have implemented disease surveillance programs; sample and test for diseases listed in the notifiable disease list for all shrimp broodstock lots from breeding facilities without such programs.

c) Strictly control shrimp broodstock entering the province, only allowing healthy shrimp with clear origins and valid health certificates to be released for farming; strictly handle violations according to the law.

d) Coordinate with the Quality Management Service of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries to guide and supervise shrimp farmers and processing facilities dealing with diseased shrimp products.

3. When adjacent provinces experience outbreaks, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Provincial People's Committee) shall establish temporary quarantine stations at key traffic points upon request of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to control the transport of shrimp broodstock and commercial shrimp from affected areas and handle violations.

4. Handling Violations:

a) Destroy or process diseased shrimp listed in the notifiable disease list, newly emerged diseases, and illegally imported shrimp without identifiable owners as stipulated in point b, c, d, Clause 3, Article 11 of this Circular.

b) Conduct quarantine and impose penalties on cases without valid health certificates according to current regulations. Compel the owner to isolate the shrimp broodstock lot for observation and sampling.

c) For lots with invalid health certificates from the place of origin, temporarily detain them for the owner to supplement documentation. If suspected of disease or fraud, the quarantine authority shall re-quarantine.

d) Organizations and individuals violating quarantine regulations must be strictly handled according to the law, bearing all costs for quarantine, destruction of shrimp, and other forms of handling.

Chapter III

DISEASE CONTROL

Article 8. Reporting when an outbreak occurs

1. Organizations and individuals producing, trading, and farming shrimp who discover abnormal signs or deaths in shrimp must immediately report to veterinary staff at the commune or the nearest veterinary office; simultaneously inform surrounding shrimp farmers and producers about preventive measures.

2. Upon receiving notification, commune veterinary staff must immediately report to the District Veterinary Station and subsequently submit a written report detailing the name, address of the facility, clinical signs, and related information to the Commune People's Committee and the higher-level veterinary office. 3. The District Veterinary Station must promptly inspect and verify the disease within 24 hours of receiving reports from commune veterinary staff or shrimp producers and farmers; instruct organizations and individuals to implement immediate management measures in infected ponds to prevent disease spread.

4. The Animal Health Service shall collect samples for testing and immediately notify the higher-level veterinary office. Sampling and sample preservation techniques must comply with the guidelines of the Department of Animal Health.

5. In necessary cases, the Animal Health Service may propose to the Provincial People's Committee or the authorized County People's Committee to decide on destroying shrimp in infected ponds without waiting for laboratory test results as stipulated in point c, d, Clause 3, Article 11 of this Circular.

Diagnosis and Testing of Diseases 1. Sample Collection for Diagnosis:

Article 9. Collect appropriate disease specimens and send them to designated laboratories for testing and diagnosis. Diagnosis must be conducted quickly to effectively prevent and control the disease.

2. Preservation and Sending Disease Specimens: Samples must be sent to the laboratory no later than two days after collection. Sampling, preservation, and transportation methods must follow the guidelines of the Department of Animal Health. 3. Testing and Diagnosis:

a) Diagnose based on disease patterns, epidemiological characteristics, symptoms, lesions, therapeutic diagnosis, and differential diagnosis with common diseases.

b) To confirm the disease, rely on laboratory test results of the disease specimen. Within two days of receiving the sample, the testing facility must provide results to confirm the disease.

c) For new diseases, report to the Department of Animal Health to contact experts and domestic and international laboratories to identify the causative agent.

b) To diagnose the disease, laboratory test results of the sample must be relied upon. Within two days from receiving the sample, the testing facility must provide the results to determine the disease.

c) For new diseases, report to the Department of Animal Health to contact experts and laboratories both domestically and internationally to identify the causative agent.

Article 10. Announcement of Disease Outbreak

1. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee decides to announce a disease outbreak or a disease threat zone for shrimp when the following conditions are met:

a) A disease listed in the catalogue of aquatic animal diseases that must be announced occurs within the province and has the potential to spread widely;

b) There is a written report from the Chairman of the District People's Committee on the development of the epidemic situation;

c) The test results from a laboratory under the Regional Animal Health Office or a laboratory designated by the Directorate of Animal Health confirm the disease is listed in the catalogue, and there is a written request for the announcement of the disease outbreak from the District Animal Health Office or the Directorate of Animal Health.

2. Scope of Disease Announcement

a) When three (3) or more disease outbreaks occur within the same farm or cluster of households raising shrimp with a common water source in the territory of one commune, the disease outbreak shall be announced at the commune level;

b) When three (3) or more communes have disease outbreaks in one district, the disease outbreak shall be announced throughout the district;

c) When three (3) or more districts have disease outbreaks in one province, the disease outbreak shall be announced throughout the province.

3. In case of a new disease (not yet included in the catalogue) but with the potential to rapidly spread over a wide area and cause mass deaths of shrimp, the Directorate of Animal Health sends a written request to the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to issue a decision announcing the disease zone and the threatened zone.

Article 11. Measures to Combat Disease Outbreaks

1. Quarantine Area: Communes with disease outbreaks are identified as disease zones; adjacent communes to those with disease outbreaks are identified as threatened zones.

2. The Chairman of the District People's Committee mobilizes veterinary forces, police, market management agencies, and other relevant organizations to establish quarantine stations and checkpoints on major traffic routes surrounding the disease zones and threatened zones according to the authorization of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee;

3. The Chairman of the Commune People's Committee mobilizes veterinary forces, police, and local organizations to participate in combating the disease. Anti-disease measures need to focus on the following aspects:

a) Guide organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp production, business, and farming to isolate and control the disease, strictly prohibiting the discharge of water and waste from diseased areas into the environment;

b) For shrimp that have reached market size but are diseased, immediate harvesting should be carried out. During harvesting, it is absolutely forbidden to drain water to collect shrimp. Shrimp must be transported using specialized vehicles, ensuring no water spills during transportation; transport vehicles must be cleaned and disinfected before leaving the farming facility and returning from the processing facility. Harvesting and processing activities must comply with regulations and guidelines issued by the Quality Management Agency for Forestry, Agriculture, and Aquaculture;

c) For small shrimp that cannot be used for food, they must be destroyed using chemicals as directed by the District Animal Health Office;

d) After harvesting or destroying shrimp, ponds and shrimp-raising areas must be disinfected, decontaminated, treated, and cleared of crustaceans and intermediate hosts of the disease. Individuals involved in the treatment and destruction process must implement personal hygiene measures to eliminate pathogens and prevent their spread to other locations;

đ) Conduct comprehensive inspections of all shrimp production, business, and farming facilities within the disease zones and threatened zones to identify cases of diseased shrimp; within one to three days in the affected commune and adjacent communes, lists of shrimp-raising facilities and facilities with diseased shrimp must be compiled for monitoring and reported to the local animal health and aquaculture management authorities.

4. Measures for Ponds and Shrimp-Raising Areas Without Diseases in the Disease Zones:

a) Implement biosecurity measures and regularly disinfect the environment and shrimp-raising areas;

b) Strengthen care and feeding to enhance the resistance of farmed shrimp;

c) Do not change water or introduce additional shrimp seedlings into ponds and shrimp-raising areas during the disease outbreak period.

5. Support for losses caused by aquatic animal disease outbreaks shall be implemented in accordance with Circular No. 39/2010/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 28, 2010 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development guiding types of natural disasters and dangerous diseases supported under Decision No. 142/2009/QĐ-TTg dated December 31, 2009 of the Prime Minister. The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requests the Government to provide hỗ trợ chemicals from the National Reserve Fund for the locality FOR to combat the disease in accordance with current regulations.

6. The Directorate of Animal Health guides the type of chemicals, dosage, and methods of use in disease prevention and control work for farmed shrimp.

Article 12. Announcement of End of Epidemic

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

a) Twenty-one days have passed since the last outbreak was completely resolved in accordance with Article 11 of this Circular;

b) No new outbreaks occur;

c) The Animal Health Service has a report recommending that the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee issue a decision to announce the end of the epidemic and the area free from threat of the epidemic.

2. Based on actual circumstances, local aquatic animal breeding management agencies shall guide facilities to continue breeding or temporarily suspend breeding.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTATION

Article 13. Responsibilities of State Agencies at the Central Level

1. The General Department of Animal Health

a) Develop the National Program on Prevention and Control of Diseases in Shrimp, to be submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for approval by the Prime Minister; organize, guide, urge, and inspect the implementation of the Program in localities;

b) Organize, guide, and inspect the implementation of disease surveillance plans for shrimp in localities;

c) Conduct inspections nationwide on prevention and control of diseases in shrimp;

d) Lead and coordinate with experts and laboratories both domestically and internationally in diagnosing and testing pathogens for newly emerged diseases causing widespread damage and spread in shrimp farming areas. Issue timely guidance on preventing and treating diseases to minimize losses for organizations and individuals engaged in shrimp farming when new diseases occur.

2. The Fisheries General Department

a) Draft and submit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for issuance of regulatory documents guiding environmental treatment and environmental recovery after shrimp farming epidemics;

b) Coordinate with the Animal Health Service in disease prevention and control activities for shrimp

Article 14. Responsibilities of State Agencies, Organizations, and Individuals at Local Levels

1. Provincial People's Committee

a) Direct the local animal health management system, relevant levels, and sectors to develop disease prevention and control programs and establish safe disease bases for shrimp at the local level; implement information dissemination and publicity work on disease prevention and control in shrimp farming;

b) Strengthen and enhance the provincial, district-level animal health management system, particularly the village-level animal health network, to carry out disease prevention and control tasks according to Joint Circular No. 37/2011/TTLT-BNN-BNV dated May 23, 2011 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the functions, tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Animal Health Service under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Localities without a village-level animal health network shall implement Circular No. 1569/TTg - NN dated November 19, 2007 of the Prime Minister regarding the implementation of allowances for village-level animal health workers;

c) The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee announces the epidemic and the end of the epidemic within the province's territory in accordance with regulations; decides to destroy shrimp in tanks, ponds/dams where shrimp are diseased or delegates the District People's Committee to issue a decision to destroy them.

a) Develop and issue district plans for converting crop structure on rice fields based on provincial plans;

a) Advise the Provincial People's Committee on developing the province's disease prevention and control program for shrimp and annual plans based on the national disease prevention and control program for shrimp;

b) Direct the Animal Health Service to identify epidemic zones, threatened zones, and high-risk zones for diseases listed in the list of diseases requiring epidemic announcements and new diseases;

c) Implement and inspect disease prevention and control work for shrimp in the province.

3. The Animal Health Service

a) Directly lead, organize, and inspect disease prevention and control work for shrimp within the provincial and city territories;

b) Provide professional guidance on disease prevention measures, organize and implement disease surveillance for shrimp, and implement regular and emergency reporting systems when epidemics occur as prescribed;

c) Advise the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to propose to the Provincial People's Committee for approval: Surveillance programs for shrimp diseases, especially at breeding facilities, concentrated shrimp farming areas, high-risk areas, and old outbreak sites; budget estimates for purchasing chemicals, materials, and veterinary drugs for aquatic animals to proactively prevent and control diseasesin shrimp in the locality; Submit to the competent authority to request the Government to allocate chemicals from the National Reserve Fund for the locality

d) 4. The Aquaculture Service or the Fisheries Service.

a) Guide shrimp farmers, producers, and traders

in post-epidemic environmental recovery and environmental quality management during farming in accordance with regulations; b) Coordinate with the Animal Health Service in disease prevention and control activities for shrimp. in accordance with regulations; 5. The District People's Committee

a) Establish specialized teams for disease prevention and control for shrimp;

b) Coordinate with the Animal Health Service to direct district animal health stations, relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to implement disease prevention and control measures for shrimp within the district;

c) Mobilize forces to serve disease prevention and control work, especially the destruction and handling of diseased shrimp;

d) Allocate local government funds for the district's disease prevention and control work.

6. The District Animal Health Station or the District Agriculture Office, Economic Office

a) Directly implement disease prevention and control work for shrimp at the district level;

b) Guide disease prevention measures down to villages and hamlets;

c) Report promptly on financial needs, materials, chemicals, and labor requirements to the District People's Committee and the Animal Health Service;

d) Monthly report on disease prevention and control work for shrimp to the Animal Health Service including: area of shrimp farming, disease situation (if any) in the districts.

7. The Commune People's Committee

a) Assign staff with expertise to guide safe disease breeding techniques, maintain constant supervision, and compile disease situations;

b) Direct village chiefs to directly inspect and supervise disease situations; coordinate with mass organizations (Youth Union, Women's Union, Farmers' Association, Veterans' Association, and other organizations) to mobilize the people to implement disease prevention measures;

c) Form a rapid response team for disease control, consisting of civilian defense forces, youth, animal health officers, and police to destroy and handle diseased shrimp, disinfect and sterilize, monitor people entering and leaving the outbreak site, and guard quarantine checkpoints.

8. Commune Animal Health Officers

a) Monitor and detect diseases in shrimp at breeding and trading facilities, tanks, ponds/dams within the commune and promptly report to the Commune People's Committee and the District Animal Health Station.

8. Veterinary staff at commune level

a) Monitor the detection of disease in shrimp at breeding and trading facilities, tanks, ponds/canals within the commune, and promptly report to the Commune People's Committee and the County Animal Health Station.

b) Directly participate in disease prevention and control work.

Article 15. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals producing, trading shrimp, and farming shrimp

Adhere to and strictly implement the disease prevention and control measures for shrimp as prescribed for organizations and individuals producing, trading shrimp, and farming shrimp in this Circular.

Article 16. Effective Date

This Circular shall take effect forty-five 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 study and resolution./.