According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the mainstream media recently reported the detection of human deaths from the A/H5N1 avian influenza virus in Prey Veng Province (Cambodia).

In order to prevent the risk of disease infection caused by the transportation, trade and consumption of poultry and poultry products smuggled into Vietnam from abroad, which seriously affect the development and safety of livestock, the Ministry of Agriculture and rural nutrition on February 26 Development issued an urgent message No. 1030/CD-BNN-TY to request the chairman of the provincial and municipal people’s committees directly under the central government.

In the official notice, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development instructs departments, agencies and local authorities at all levels to organize the synchronous implementation of solutions in accordance with the Veterinary Medicine Law, the documents guiding the implementation of the law and the decision 172/QD-TTg of February 13, 2019 of the Prime Minister approving the “National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza 2019-2025”.

At the same time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development suggested municipalities to urgently strengthen inspection, surveillance and control, especially at border gates, hiking trails, openings in border areas, seaports, river courses, etc… to promptly detect cases of illegal action and to treat strictly trade, slaughter and transport of poultry and poultry products to Vietnam, especially to the southern frontier provinces.

If illegally transported animals and animal products are caught, they must be destroyed immediately (samples should be taken and sent to veterinary services for disease testing before destruction).

In addition, municipalities must instruct police forces and border guards to set up special projects to combat subjects who transport and trade smuggled poultry and poultry products across the border.

Coordinate with local authorities to arrest and strictly deal with cases of illegal import of poultry and poultry products; Organize propaganda for people in border areas about the dangers of bird flu and the damage caused by the trade and transport of unquarantined poultry of unknown origin.

In addition, it is necessary to direct local market management forces to strengthen circulation control measures, promptly detect and strictly deal with cases of illegal transport and trade of animals and animal products to Vietnam, poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.

Provinces and cities must also direct local press agencies to increase risk communication about dangerous diseases imported through transportation, trade and consumption from abroad, illegal animals and animal products.

The organization mobilizes people in border areas not to participate in or support the transport and trade of animals and animal products, particularly poultry and poultry products illegally imported into Vietnam.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development urges municipalities to report the epidemic situation promptly, fully and accurately through the Online Animal Disease Information System (VAHIS), in accordance with current regulations; Organize inspections and strictly handle cases of non-reporting, concealment of epidemics and spread of epidemics.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development tasked the Department of Animal Health and related units of the department to organize working groups visiting sites to inspect, guide and urge disease prevention and control; Coordinate proactively with international organizations and countries to share information, experiences and solutions to prevent and control disease.