Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 on Emergency Response Plan for African Swine Fever

DECISION

ON EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 15/2017/ND-CP dated February 17, 2017 on functions, duties, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development;

Pursuant to the Law on Veterinary Medicine dated June 19, 2015;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 35/2016/ND-CP dated May 15, 2016 elaborating a number of Articles of the Law on Veterinary;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP dated January 09, 2017 on policies on assistance in agriculture production for revival of production in areas suffering from losses caused by natural disasters and epidemics;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg dated April 29, 2016 on establishment, organizational structure and operation of steering committees for animal epidemic prevention and control at all levels;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg dated September 12, 2018 on measures against introduction of African swine fever into Vietnam;

Pursuant to the Dispatch No. 10868/VPCP-NN dated November 09, 2018 by the Minister, Chairman of the Office of the Government on promulgation of Emergency Response Plan for African Swine Fever;

Pursuant to the Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT dated May 31, 2016 by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on prevention and control of epidemics of terrestrial animal diseases;

At the request of the Director General of the Department of Animal Health,

HEREBY DECIDES:

Article 1.Emergency Response Plan for African Swine Fever, with the following main contents, is promulgated together with this Decision:

1. Objectives

a) General objectives: Proactive prevention and monitoring, early detection, and effective and timely response with respect to African swine fever (ASF).

b) Specific objectives:

- Minimize the risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam, and control transport, trade and consumption of swine and swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin; tourists and vehicles from countries and regions previously or currently infected or highly at risk; and activities of people living along the borders between Vietnam and other countries.

- Proactively and strictly monitor ASF, and promptly detect ASF cases in Vietnam to handle them thoroughly and prevent widespread infection. Mitigate ASF’s impacts on the economy, society and environment.

2. Action plan

a) Scenario 1: Prevention of ASF prior to its introduction into Vietnam.

b) Scenario 2: Handling of ASF upon its introduction into Vietnam.

3. Responsibilities and financial mechanism

a) Organizations and individuals involved in production, trade, transport and slaughter of swine and swine products shall proactively adopt preventive measures; regularly sanitize swine cages and farms, trading locations of swine and swine products, swine slaughterhouses as well as swine transport tools and vehicles using lime powder or chemicals; sanitize, disinfect and decontaminate personnel and equipment entering and exiting swine farming areas according to husbandry procedures and procedures for sanitation during epidemics; dispose of infected pigs following guidelines from veterinary medicine authorities and local governments and allocate funding for this task.

b) State budget shall distribute targeted funding for ASF prevention and control to central and local government budgets.

- Central government budget shall cover activities of central government authorities, including giving direction for and inspection of prevention and control of ASF and smuggling of swine and swine products; ASF virus monitoring, detection and isolation; training, conferences, seminars and research; shipping of samples internationally; communications operation; disposal of swine and swine products; and environmental remediation.

- Local government budgets shall cover activities of local government authorities, including giving direction for and inspection of prevention and control of ASF and smuggling of swine and swine products; monitoring; training, conferences and seminars; shipping of lab samples; communications operation; assistance for owners of swine and swine products; implementation of the measures in swine and swine product markets; purchase of protective equipment and disinfectants; disinfection and decontamination; disposal of infected swine and swine products; and environmental remediation.

c) Ministries, regulatory bodies and People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities (hereinafter referred to as “provincial People’s Committees”) shall use their allocated funding proactively. If requiring more funding, they shall submit a request to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, which will send a consolidated request to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning and Investment to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

d) Aids from international organizations and other countries may be mobilized to prevent and control ASF. Relevant epidemic prevention and control schemes, programs, projects and plans approved by competent authorities shall be incorporated to save state funding.

Article 2.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall provide guidance and cooperate with other relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies and provincial People’s Committees in implementing this Plan.

Based on ASF's progress and prevention and control status, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall consider amendment to this Plan as appropriate.

Article 3.This Decision takes effect from the date on which it is signed. Head of Office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Director General of the Department of Animal Health, heads of relevant units, Chairpersons of People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities and relevant organizations and individuals shall implement this Decision./.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN FOR AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

(Enclosed with Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

I. NECESSITY

1.1. Overview of African swine fever

-African swine fever (“ASF”) is a dangerous viral infectious disease in swine. It causes high fever and severehemorrhage and may kill 100% of infected pigs.It is contagious only among pigs (both wild and domesticated) and does not spread to other animals. ASF cannot infect humans.

-ASF mainly spreads from infected pigs to healthy pigs; and may indirectly spread via leftover feed, production equipment and tools, and clothing contaminated withAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV). Thesoft tick(Ornithodoros moubata) is an ASF carrier.

- ASFV has 22 different genotypes, which replicate inside macrophages and partially or completely obstruct the production of antibodies. Vaccines against ASFare not yet available.

-ASFV is highly resistant to the environment. The virus can survive for 18 months in pig serum kept at room temperature and for up to 6 years in refrigerated blood.It thrives in cold temperatures.

-ASF must be differentiated from other swine diseases such as classical swine fever, blue ear pig disease, swine erysipelas, Salmonellosis and some diseases that can cause hemorrhage.

Detailed information on ASF is provided in Appendix 1.

1.2. Global situation of African swine fever

-In 1921, ASF was reported for the first time in Kenya and subsequentlybecame endemic in many African countries.

-In 1957, ASF was detected in Europe. Today, this disease is present in many European and American countries, among those are Armenia and Russia, which reported their first case in 2007, and Azerbaijan, where the disease appeared in 2008.

- In 2007, ASF spread to the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia, which divides Europe and Asia. ASF has now become an endemic disease in many countries around the world.

-According to updates from World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), from 2017 to November 10, 2018, ASF has been reported in 19 countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Chad, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and Zambia. Total number of infected pigs is 372 thousand; number of death is 123 thousand; and total number of potentially infected pigs that must be disposed of is over 840 thousand.

-In China, according to updates from OIE and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), from August 03, 2018 to November 09, 2018, this country reported a total of 73 hotspots in 17 provinces (including Anhui, Heilongjiang, Henan, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Tianjin, Shanxi, Hunan, Guizhou,Yunnan (in Simao district of Pu'er City, 150 km from the Northwest of Vietnam), Hubei, Jiangxi, Chongqing and Fujian). More than 470 thousand pigs of all kinds have been disposed of.

1.3. Measures taken in China

On August 03, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture of China issued a notice on the ASF situation and tightened the control over transport of swine and pork products. To be specific:

-All pig herdsin infected farms were immediately disposed of; pig herds within a 3-kilometer radius around a hotspot were also disposed of.

-Transport of live pigs (both domesticated and wild) and pork products not heat-treated from high-risk zoneswas prohibited.

-Pig farms and slaughterhouses were kept in strict quarantine; Control over pig slaughter was tightened.

- Road, railway and air transport of live pigs was under strict control. Vehicles were sanitized, disinfected and decontaminated.

-On September 13, 2018, the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Agriculture of China promulgated regulations on aid rate for farmers whose pigs were disposed of, which was USD175 per pig (regardless of size).

-1.8 billion pigs in 40 million locations (production facilities, markets, slaughterhouses and disposal sites) underwent clinical examination; 10,000 samples were collected of which 120 were ASF-positive.

-More sanitation and biosafety assurance methods were adopted; feeding human’s leftover raw food to pigs and use of pig blood in pig feed were prohibited;

1.4. Situation assessment

There is a very high risk that ASFwill be introduced into Vietnam through transport, trade and consumption of swine and swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin, especially in provinces near the northern borders and in localities receiving large number of touristsfrom infectedcountries and regions.

In China, ASF is spreading to southern provinces near Vietnam; commercial and tourism activities from countries previously or currently affected, especially transport and consumption of pork and even cooked pork products (such as the case where ASF was detected in the sausages in a Chinese passenger’s luggage at a Korean airport on August 27, 2018; or in the sausages carried by a traveler from China at a Hokkaido airport, Japan, on October 22, 2018), may also introduce ASF into Vietnam.

1.5. Legal grounds

Law on Veterinary Medicine dated June 19, 2015.

Government’s Decree No. 35/2016/ND-CP dated May 15, 2016 elaborating a number of Articles of the Law on Veterinary.

Government’s Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP dated January 09, 2017 on policies on assistance in agriculture production for revival of production in areas suffering from losses caused by natural disasters and epidemics (hereinafter referred to as “Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP”).

Prime Minister’s Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg dated April 29, 2016 on establishment, organizational structure and operation of steering committees for animal epidemic prevention and control at all levels (hereinafter referred to as “Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg”);

Prime Minister’s Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg dated September 12, 2018 on measures against introduction of ASF into Vietnam, which assigns to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (“MARD”) the formulation and promulgation of an action plan for prevention of and emergency response to introduction of ASF into Vietnam, and provision of guidelines for this plan to local governments (hereinafter referred to as “Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg”).

Official Dispatch No. 10868/VPCP-NN dated November 09, 2018 by the Minister, Chairman of the Office of the Government on promulgation of “Emergency Response Plan for African Swine Fever”, which assigns the promulgation of this plan and provision of guidelines for this plan to local governments to MARD.

Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT dated May 31, 2016 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on prevention and control of epidemics of terrestrial animal diseases (hereinafter referred to as “Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT")

II. OBJECTIVES

2.1. General objectives

Proactive prevention and monitoring, early detection, and effective and timely response with respect to ASF.

2.2. Specific objectives

-Minimize the risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam, and control transport, trade and consumption of swine and swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin; tourists and vehicles from countries and regions previously or currently infected or highly at risk; and activities of people living along the borders between Vietnam and other countries.

-Proactively and strictly monitor and promptly detect ASF cases in Vietnam to handle them thoroughly and prevent widespread infection. Mitigate ASF’s impacts on the economy, society and environment.

III. GENERAL SOLUTIONS

Emergency Response Plan for African Swine Fever (hereinafter referred to as "the Plan”) provides specific measures for relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies. These specific measures are formulated based on the following scenarios:

Scenario 1: Prevention of ASF prior to its introduction into Vietnam.

Scenario 2: Handling of ASF upon its introduction into Vietnam.

3.1. Implementing organization

3.1.1. Prior to introduction of ASF into Vietnam

-Provide guidelines for implementation ofthe Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg;Dispatch No. 6741/CD-BNN-TYdated August 30, 2018 by Minister of MARD on proactive prevention of introduction of ASF into Vietnam (“Dispatch No. 6741/CD-BNN-TY“); Directive No. 8523/CT-BNN-TY dated November 01, 2018 by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development on proactive prevention of introduction of ASF; regulations of the Law on Veterinary Medicine and guidelines for this Law; and inspect and expedite such implementation.

-Develop and implement the Plan at all levels; and organize drills for the Plan.

-Form inspection teams in localities, especially those along borders, those possessing large pig herds, and those receiving large number of tourists and vehicles from countries currently infected with ASF.

-Promptly advise and propose to the Prime Minister establishment of national steering committees for animal epidemic prevention and control at central level according to the Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg.

3.1.2. Upon introduction of ASF into Vietnam

-MARD shall report and propose to the Prime Minister establishment of national steering committees for animal epidemic prevention and control at central level (hereinafter referred to as “national steering committees”) according to the Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg; report to and advise competent authorities on promulgation of specific regulations and guidelines as suitable to ASF’s situation and progress.

-Chairpersons of People’s Committees at all levels of infected andhigh-riskzones have the power to decide establishment of steering committees for animal epidemic prevention and control (hereinafter referred to as “steering committees”)at all levels according to the Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg to direct operations in these zones.

-Steering committees at all levels shall organize weekly and/or ad hoc or online briefings to update ASF situation and provide directions.

-Members of steering committees at all levels shall visit the infected and high-riskzones to inspect, expedite and deploy anti-ASF measures.

On the basis of this Plan, People’s Committees of provinces and central-affiliated cities (hereinafter collectively referred to as “provinces”) shall formulate and approve detailed emergency response plans based on the abovementioned scenarios for their provinces; and mobilize the whole provincial political system to fight ASF.

3.2. Technical solutions

3.2.1. Prior to introduction of ASF into Vietnam

3.2.1.1. Transport control

-Prohibit all forms of transport, trade, slaughter and consumption of swine and swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin, including gifting by organizations, individuals and residents near borders.

-Focus on prevention, timely detection and strict handling of illegal transport of animals and animal products into Vietnam.

-Increase monitoring of persons and vehicles coming from ASF-infected countries at border checkpoints, border crossings, airports and seaports; and pay special attention to locations where pigs from neighboring countries are frequently transported into Vietnam.

-Control and monitor road vehicles, watercrafts, aircrafts and tourists traveling from countries previously or currently infected to Vietnam and carrying pork, including cooked pork products, and border checkpoints; handle leftover pork from flights, watercrafts and vehiclescoming from ASF-infected regions and countries.

-Trace the origin of swine and swine products suspected to have been smuggled according to the Law on Food Safety and Circular No. 74/2011/TT-BNN dated October 31, 2011 by MARD on traceability, recall and handling of unsafe agricultural and forest food.

-Dispose of swine smuggled or suspected to have been smuggled into Vietnam and products thereof.

3.2.1.2. Import quarantine

-Give warnings on risk of ASF introduction.

-Suspend import of swine and swine products, including cooked products, from infected provinces (regions).

-MARD shall announce suspension of import of swine and swine products from infected provinces (regions) of infected countries.

-Prohibit transport of raw or preliminary treated pork in the form of gifts or in carry-on of tourists and civilians traveling between Vietnam and other countries.

-Add ASF to the inspection criteria for animals, swine products and swine by-products used in husbandry originating from infected countries.

3.2.1.3. Animal husbandry management and biosafety

-Enhance biosafe husbandry and good husbandry practices; Build disease-free zones, facilities and facility chains.

-Organize periodical sanitation and decontaminationin production areas, markets, points of trade or slaughter of swine and swine products using lime powder or chemicals (such as NaOH 2%, etc.); perform sanitation and decontaminationafter each market meeting and slaughter shift; disinfect personnel and equipment entering and exiting production areas following husbandry procedures and procedures for sanitation during epidemics.

-Detailed information on sanitation and decontamination is provided for in Appendix 2.

3.2.1.4. Proactive monitoring and warning

-Improve capacity for diagnosis, testing, monitoring, hotspot investigation and response to ASF; review procedures and requirements for ASF testing and detection; prepare all equipment, tools and materials necessary for hotspot monitoring and investigation and ASF testing; designate laboratories capable of testing for ASF.

-Provide guidelines for livestock husbandry practitioners and veterinary medicines authorities at grassroots level on pig herd monitoring; upon detection of infected cases, suspected cases, cases with unknown cause of death, or swine or swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin, prior to their disposal per the law, their samples shall be taken for ASF diagnosis and testing;focus on pig herds in localities near borders and localities receiving large number of tourists and vehicles from infected countries.

-Sample swine and swine products smuggled or suspected to have been smuggled into Vietnam; infected and suspected cases in slaughterhouses,production facilities or shipments; frozen pork, raw pork, ham, sausages, etc.; Carry out additional tests for ASFV for all samples sent by organizations and individuals to laboratories affiliated to the Department of Animal Health from the beginning of 2018 to date. ASFV-positive cases shall be handled as scenario 2 (Upon introduction of ASF into Vietnam).

-Supervise high-risk zones, areas with high swine concentration, etc. on a monthly basis.

3.2.1.5. International cooperation

-Promptly update ASF situation in other countries; share experience and cooperate to devise effective and timely preventive solutions.

-Develop and launch emergency assistance programs, especially for enhancement of capacity for hotspot investigation, diagnosis, testing and monitoring, and response to ASF, to prevent ASF introduction into Vietnam proactively.

3.2.1.6. Risk communication

-Follow daily ASF situation in infected countries, especially China, to provide information for communication authorities in a timely manner to cover the ASF situation and disseminate anti-ASF measures (website of the Department of Animal Health).

-Disseminate information on ASF to all grassroots veterinary medicines authorities, animal husbandry practitioners and civilians. Such information must include the threats that ASF poses, ASF’s mode of transmission and measures to prevent ASF introduction into Vietnam, and shall not cause any misunderstanding or confusion to the society.

3.2.2. Upon introduction of ASF into Vietnam

3.2.2.1. Disposal of infected and suspected cases

-Swine infected or suspected to be infected with ASF shall not be treated.

-For localities where ASF emerges for the first time in a small livestock production facility or farming household without separate rows of stalls, a market or point of trade of swine and swine products, or a swine slaughterhouse, the whole infected herd must be disposed of within 24 hours from the time ASF infection is confirmed via test result. Pig herds near the infected herd shall also be disposed of regardless of whether they have been tested or not.

For infected zones and high-risk zones, pig herds displaying clinical symptoms of ASF shall be disposed of within 48 hours regardless of the test result to contain the disease.

-For large farms with multiple separaterows of stalls, all pigs contained in the same row or stall as the infected pig shall be disposed of;and the remaining rows shall be subject to biosafety measures and periodical sampling for monitoring purpose. If ASF is detected or the risk of ASF spreading is high, the whole farm shall be disposed of.

-Procedure for disposal of ASF infected cases and suspected cases is provided for in Appendix 3.

-Owners of disposed swine and swine products are entitled to financial aids as prescribed in the Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP.

3.2.2.2. ASF localization

-An ASF hotspot is one ASF-positive pig farm or pig farming household or more located in a commune.

-For infected zones, which are communes where a hotspot is located, sanitation and decontamination shall be carried out once a day for the first week; and thrice a week for the following 2-3 weeks. Concurrently, these zones shall be monitored and any pig displaying ASF symptoms or suspected of ASF shall be tested for ASF.

-High-risk zones, which are the areas within a 3-kilometer radius around a hotspot, sanitation and decontamination shall be carried out once a day for the first week; and thrice a week for the following 2-3 weeks. Concurrently, these areas shall be monitored and any pig displaying ASF symptoms or suspected of ASF shall be tested for ASF.

-Buffer zones, which are the areas within a 10-kilometer radius around a hotspot, sanitation and decontamination shall be carried out once a week for the first month. Concurrently, these areas shall be monitored and any pig displaying ASF symptoms or suspected of ASF shall be tested for ASF.

3.2.2.3. Suspension of transport of swine and swine products

-Ban transport of swine and swine products to and from infected zones andhigh-risk zones.For production facilities located in infected or high-risk zones and certified as being free of other diseases, they may transport swine and swine products tested ASF-negative to another location under the supervision of competent local authorities. Provincial veterinary medicines authorities shall identify high-risk zones subject to transport suspension based on the actual situation.

-Prohibit transport of piglets and studs to and from infected zones and high-risk zones forrepopulation purposebefore guidelines from veterinary medicines authorities are issued.

-Swine owners may slaughter ASF-negative swine in the presence of veterinarian officials. Pork and pork products may be sold only in infected zones, high-risk zones and buffer zones.

3.2.2.4. Post-ASF repopulation, biosafety and animal husbandry management

-Enhance biosafe husbandry and good husbandry practices; Build disease-free zones, facilities and facility chains.

-Organize periodical sanitation and decontamination in production areas, markets, points of trade and slaughter of swine and swine products using lime powder or chemicals; perform sanitationand decontamination after each market meeting and slaughter shift; decontaminate personnel and equipment entering or exiting production areas following husbandry procedures and procedures for sanitation during epidemics. Sanitation and decontamination are provided for in Appendix 2.

-Post-ASF repopulation time: 30 days from the date of disposal of infected swine or swine products and implementation of anti-ASF measures according to regulations, production facilities may repopulate 10% of their production capacity. 30 days after repopulation begins, these facilities shall test their repopulated herds for ASF. If a herd is ASF-negative, its production facility may repopulate 100% of its capacity.

3.2.2.5. Proactive monitoring and warning

-Provide guidelines on pig herd monitoring for livestock husbandry practitioners and veterinary medicines authorities; upon detection of infected cases, suspected cases, cases with unknown cause of death, swine or swine products smuggled, suspected to have been smuggled or of unknown origin, prior to their disposal per the law, their samples shall be taken for ASF diagnosis and testing; focus on pig herds in high-risk zones or surveillance zones.

-Local veterinary medicines authorities shall send samples of suspected cases and cases with unknown cause of death in high-risk zones or surveillance zones to laboratories affiliated to the Department of Animal Health to test for ASF.

3.2.2.6. International cooperation

-FAO shall take charge and cooperate with OIE in establishment of an emergency risk assessment team to produce suitable and effective solutions for ASF prevention and control.

-Promptly and regularly update ASF situation in other countries; share experience and cooperate to devise effective and timely prevention solutions.

-Launch emergency assistance programs, and enhance capacity for hotspot investigation, diagnosis, testing and monitoring and response to ASF to prevent ASF introduction into Vietnam proactively.

3.2.2.7. Risk communication

-MARD shall provide official information on the first ASF cases in Vietnam; provincial People’s Committees shall provide official information on ASF cases in their provinces after receiving information from MARD.

-Update ASF situation on communications channels and website of the Department of Animal Health daily.

-Update daily ASF progress and situation in other infected countries via mass media at central and local levels and on websites.

-Disseminate information on ASF to all grassroots veterinary medicines authorities, animal husbandry practitioners and people. The Department of Animal Health shall provide information on ASF situation and anti-ASF measures, with a focus on ASF containment, for communications authorities (including VTV1; VTC14 and VTC16; Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam National Assembly Television Channel, Nhan Dan Newspaper, Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper, Tuoi Tre News, etc.).

3.3. Financial mechanism

3.3.1. People’s funding: Swine producers andtraders, transporters and butchers of swine and swine products shall allocate most funding for preventive measures; regularly carry out sanitation and decontamination of swine stalls and farms, trading locations of swine and swine products, swine slaughterhouses as well as swine transporting tools and vehicles using lime powder or chemicals; and sanitize, disinfect and decontaminate personnel and equipment entering or exiting production areas according to husbandry procedures and procedures for sanitation during epidemics; dispose of infected pigs following guidelines from veterinary medicines authorities and local governments.

3.3.2. State budget: State budget shall distribute targeted funding for ASF prevention and control as follows:

-Central government budget shall cover activities of central government authorities, including giving direction for and inspection of prevention and control of ASF and smuggling of swine and swine products; virus monitoring, detection and isolation; training, conferences, seminars and research; shipping of samples internationally; and communications operation.

-Local government budgets shall cover activities of local government authorities, including giving direction for and inspection of prevention and control of ASF and smuggling of swine and swine products; monitoring; training, conferences and seminars; shipping of lab samples; communications operation; assistance for owners of swine and swine products; implementation of measures in swine and swine product markets; purchase of protective equipment and disinfectants; decontamination; disposal of infected swine and swine products; and environmental remediation.

3.3.3. Ministries, regulatory bodies and provincial People’s Committeesshall use their allocated funding proactively. If requiring more funding, they shall submit a request to MARD, which will send a consolidated request to the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Planning and Investment to report to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

Cost estimate for prevention of ASF introduction into Vietnam performed by MARD affiliates in 2018 and 2019 is provided for in Appendix 4.

3.3.4. Mobilize aids from international organizations and other countries to prevent and control ASF. Incorporate relevant epidemic prevention and control schemes, programs, projects and plans approved by competent authorities to save state funding.

IV. DETAILED ACTION PLAN

4.1. Scenario 1: Prior to ASF introduction into Vietnam

4.1.1. Provincial People’s Committees shall:

-Promulgate guidelines on measures for prevention of transboundary ASF transmission for governments at all levels and regulatory bodies in their provinces, with a focus on areas near borders.

-Preside over meetings about implementation of proactive anti-ASF measures with representatives of regulatory bodies and People’s Committees of their districts, socio-political organizations and owners of farms with more than 500 pigs.

-Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development shall organize meetings about implementation of proactive anti-ASF measures with representatives of Agriculture and Rural Development Committee Divisions/Economic Committee Divisions, livestock production and veterinary medicines stations; companies, enterprises and swine production facilities.

-Be ready to advise and strengthen steering committees at all levels according to the Decision No. 16/2016/QD-TTg; establish ASF response teams; organize drills concerning ASF introduction into their provinces.

-Increase monitoring of persons and vehicles coming from infected countries at border checkpoints and crossings, especially in provinces near the northern borders; and take charge in disposal of shipments of live pigs and pig products smuggled into Vietnam.

-Direct authorities to further monitor ASF in as far as villages and detect hotspots early on to contain the disease when it has infected only a small area; promptly report any pig showing ASF signs and implement epidemic prevention and control measures according to MARD's guidelines in the Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT.

-Closely monitor swine trading, slaughtering and transporting points; perform sanitation and decontamination after each market meeting and slaughter shift; develop plans for closing markets and trading points of swine and swine products, and take handling measures upon ASF detection.

-Launch a sanitation and decontamination month in production areas, markets, trading points and slaughterhouses of swine and swine products using lime powder or chemicals; after this month, perform sanitation and decontamination in high-risk zones periodically (Appendix 3).

-Provide guidelines on pig herd monitoring and application of biosafety measures in husbandry (daily sanitation of stalls and farms; sanitation and decontamination of personnel and vehicles entering or exiting production areas; periodical decontamination of the whole production area; restriction of visits to production facilities, especially those for studs; etc.) for swine producers and grassroots veterinary medicines authorities, with a focus on localities near borders where vehicles arrive from infected countries or welcoming many tourists.

-Develop and promulgate action plans for emergency response to and prevention of ASF introduction into their provinces, which shall distribute sufficient funding for ASF prevention and control and drills thereof. Utilize land to dispose of swine and swine products when necessary; and prepare the tools, vehicles and equipment for such disposal as regulated.

-Establish teams for inspecting and expediting implementation of measures against ASF introduction into Vietnam.

-Inspectlive swine markets,transshipment points and gathering points in their provinces and slaughterhouses, especially in areas where trade of swine with unknown origin take place, to monitor.

-Direct the border guards, customs authorities, police force, market surveillance force, and governments of communes near borders to control and handle entities involved in cross-border trade and transport of live swine and swine products strictly. Dispose of all live swine and swine products smuggled through borders.

-Direct press agencies of their provinces to enhance communications about risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam via illegal transport and trade of live swine and swine products. Encourage mass organizations in their provinces to participate in such communications.

-Direct veterinary medicines authorities in their provinces to further sample smuggled live pigs, points of gathering and trade of live pigs and some pig farms for monitoring purpose. Organize technical training for the veterinary medicines system in their provinces.

-Prepare all necessary funding, materials, chemicals and equipment; and promptly take preventive measures upon ASF occurrence.

-Review disposal plans, inspect places for burial and cremationof infected andsuspected swine and swine products, especially for large-scale disposal (hundreds, thousands or even more), which must specify the chemicals, tools and vehicles to be used from an infected location to a disposal site, and formulate backup plans.

-Enumerate total number of herds of each farm and farming household in each commune, district and province to estimate the exact funding to respond to, handle and control ASF promptly upon its occurrence.

4.1.2. National steering committee against smuggling, commercial frauds and counterfeit goods (National Steering Committee 389)

-National Steering Committee 389 and the steering committee 389 of each province shall focus on prevention, timely detection and strict handling of illegal transport of animals and animal products into Vietnam.

-National Steering Committee 389 shall cooperate with national steering committees in inspecting and expediting implementation of the Government’s directions on prevention and control of epidemics of animal diseases from regulatory bodies and local governments.

4.1.3. Ministry of Transport shall:

Take charge and cooperate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Public Security, Border Guard High Command, Ministry of Finance and provincial People’s Committees in urgently controlling road vehicles, watercrafts, aircrafts and tourists coming from countries previously or currently infected and carrying pork, including cooked pork, into Vietnam.

4.1.4. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall:

-Promulgate a document adding ASF to the list of notifiable terrestrial animal diseases.

-Form teams to inspect and expedite implementation of the Prime Minister’s directions stated in the Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg and Dispatch No. 6741/CD-BNN-TY in localities.

-Take charge and cooperate with other relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies and local governments in organizing ASF response drills.

-Direct enhancement of capacity for diagnosis, testing, monitoring, hotspot investigation and response to ASF; review procedures and requirements for ASF testing and detection; prepare all equipment, tools and materials necessary for hotspot monitoring and investigation, sampling and testing; designate provisional laboratories to diagnose and test for ASF among designated laboratories.

-Launch programs for ASF sampling for monitoring purpose throughout the country.

-Direct the Department of Animal Health to formulate plans and organize technical training for regional animal quarantine branches, livestock production branchesand veterinary medicines branches of provinces on ASF, sampling methods, measures for handling infected herds, sanitation and decontamination.

-Direct the Department of Animal Health to form quick response teams to prepare for ASF introduction into Vietnam.

-Direct the Department of Animal Health to cooperate with FAO and OIE in regular assessment of risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam to modify the measures as appropriate.

-Direct the Department of Animal Health and Department of Livestock Production to continue researching and analyzing the swine supply chainto identify key handling areas; and assess the risks related to trade and transport of swine in border areas.

-Direct the Department of Livestock Production and National Agricultural Extension Center to formulate plans for communications and training concerning implementation of biosafety measures in swine farms and slaughterhouses.

-Continue to cooperate closely with international organizations (FAO, OIE, ASEAN, etc.) and other countries, especially China, to obtain information promptly and utilize technical and financial assistance and cooperation for ASF prevention and control.

-Send consolidated requests for funding for ASF prevention and control at central and local levels to the Ministry of Finance to have them appraised and approved by competent authorities as regulated.

4.1.5. Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

-Regularly monitor the situation of the pork and pork product market to facilitate sale and prevent instability of the domestic market; direct the market surveillance force to tighten control over trade and detect and handle illegal transport and trade of pork and pork products.

-Take charge and continue to implement preventive measures and measures to prevent transport and trade of smuggled raw pork and pork products vigorously.

4.1.6. Ministry of Public Security shall:

Direct its forces to implement professional measures to monitor and grasp the situation; compile a list of entities trading, transporting or consuming animals and animal products smuggled or suspected to have been smuggled; cooperate with other authorities in timely capture and strict handling per the law; and implement educating and incentive measures to prevent violations against the law proactively.

4.1.7. Ministry of National Defense shall:

-Direct the border guards and maritime police force to further inspect and control the borders, border checkpoints and seas ex officio; cooperate with local and maritime authorities in timely detection, capture and strict handling of smuggled animals and animal products per the law;

-Cooperate with local governments in raising political awareness, internal management and informing the risks posed by transport and trade of smuggled animals and animal products for people to understand and avoid committing or assisting such acts.

4.1.8. Ministry of Information and Communications shall:

Direct mass communications authorities to provide accurate information on ASF situation and anti-ASF measures for people promptly; and dedicate a separate column for ASF prevention and control.

Communications contents shall include the harm caused by smuggling of animals and animal products, risk of infectious disease transmission, food safety compromise, threat to community health and measures against ASF introduction into Vietnam for grassroots governments, regulatory bodies, mass organizations and people to understand such matters and avoid consuming pork and pork products smuggled or of unknown origin;

4.1.9. Ministry of Finance

-Ministry of Finance shall take charge and cooperate with MARD in balancing and allocating funding from the budget for recurrent expenditures for ASF prevention and control as regulated.

-To perform the tasks assigned in Point 9 of the Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg, the Ministry of Finance has sent the Dispatch No. 11265/BTC-HCSN dated September 17, 2018 (enclosed) requesting MARD to submit a funding request to the Ministry of Finance, which will propose it to the Prime Minister according to regulations.

-Ministry of Finance shall assign the General Department of Vietnam Customs to cooperate with relevant regulatory bodies in inspection and control of travelers coming from infected countries or regions and carrying pork products into Vietnam, which will be confiscated and transferred to quarantine authorities to handle according to regulations.

4.1.10. Other relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies shall direct their affiliates to cooperate in implementing the measures against ASF introduction into Vietnam vigorously.

4.2. Scenario 2: ASF hotspot detection

4.2.1. Provincial People’s Committees shall:

4.2.1.1. For infected localities, localities located ininfected zones, high-risk zones and surveillancezones

Handle the hotspots and control the epidemic according to regulations in the Law on Veterinary Medicine; Dispatch No. 1194/CD-TTg; Dispatch No. 6741/CD-BNN-TY and Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, with a focus on the following tasks:

-Dispose of the whole infected herd within 24 hours from the time ASF infection is confirmed via test result.

-Identifyinfected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones; set up stations and posts to control transport of swine and products thereof and checkpoints to sanitize and disinfect vehicles traveling from infected zones, high-risks zones and surveillance zones.

-Prevent transport of swine and swine products from high-risk zones and surveillance zones and transport of piglets and studs to high-risk zones and surveillance zones.

-Control slaughter and trade of pork and pork products in slaughterhouses located in high-risk zones and surveillance zones with supervision from local governments.

-Sanitize and decontaminate high-risk zones once a day for the first week and thrice a week for the following 2 weeks; sanitize and decontaminate surveillance zones once a week for a month.

-Report to the Department of Animal Health according to regulations in the Circular No. 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT; update ASF situation on local communications channels on a daily basis.

-Declare end of the ASF epidemic according to regulations of the Law on Veterinary Medicine when, 30 days after the date of disposal of the last infected pig, there is no new case and hotspot handling measures have been taken to prevent germ from causing a new hotspot or spreading to another location.

-Offer financial aids to owners whose swine and/or swine products must be disposed of as prescribed in the Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP.

-Local veterinary medicines authorities shall sample suspected cases and cases with unknown cause of death in high-risk zones and surveillance zones to test for ASF.

4.2.1.2. For ASF-free localities

-Organize implementation of the solutions for scenario 1.

-ASF-free localities located in high-risk zones or surveillance zones shall implement the anti-ASF solutions applied to high-risk zones and surveillance zones.

4.2.2. MARD and standing members of National Steering Committee shall:

-Direct provincial People’s Committees of infected zones to mobilize the resources of their provinces to contain, control and eliminate ASF and prevent the disease from spreading; inspect, monitor and expedite organization of animal epidemic prevention operation of provincial People’s Committees of infected zones.

-Direct regional animal quarantine branches to assign officials to quarantine animals and animal products 24/24 at border checkpoints and seaports across the country to detect and prevent ASF introduction into Vietnam promptly.

-Dispatchquick response teams to localities to support ASF control operation.

-Monitor and collect samples in high-risk zones and surveillance zones to detect and handle ASF promptly.

-Direct enhancement of biosafe husbandry measures and good husbandry practices, especially for production facilities located in high-risk zones and surveillance zones of key livestock husbandry regions.

-Request assistance in terms of techniques, finance, materials and equipment for ASF containment from international organizations and other countries.

-Propose prevention and control of epidemics of animal diseases and assistance for such task to the Prime Minister.

-Report results of ASF prevention and control, implementation of policies on assistance for ASF prevention and control, remedy for losses caused by ASF and revival of livestock production postASF to the Prime Minister.

-Send consolidated requests for funding for ASF prevention and control at central and local levels to the Ministry of Finance to have them appraised and approved by competent authorities according to regulations.

4.2.3. Ministry of Transport shall:

Take charge and cooperate with MARD, Ministry of Public Security and provincial People’s Committees in urgent control of road vehicles, watercrafts, aircrafts and tourists coming from infected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones to prevent both transport of swine and swine products from these areas and transport of piglets and studs into surveillance zones and high-risk zones.

4.2.4. Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

Regularly monitor the situation of the pork and pork product market to facilitate sale and prevent instability of the domestic market; direct the market surveillance force to take measures to tighten control over trade and detect and handle illegal transport and trade of pork and pork products from infected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones.

4.2.5. Ministry of Public Security shall:

-Direct its forces to implement professional measures to investigate, monitor and grasp the situation; compile a list of entities trading, transporting or consuming swine products from infected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones; implement educating measures to prevent and control ASF proactively and promptly.

-Direct the police force to cooperate with regulatory bodies in control of vehicles entering or exiting infected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones to control transport and trade of swine and swine products, which supports sanitation and decontamination, and strictly handle violations.

-Direct grassroots police forces to monitor and handle complications promptly, preventing hostile individuals from exploiting ASF to disrupt public order and security.

4.2.6. Ministry of National Defense shall:

-Direct its affiliates in infected zones and give manpower support for disposal of large number of swine and/or swine products.

-Give direction and guidelines for all of its forces on monitoring, cooperation with local veterinary medicines authorities in sampling upon detection of infected or suspected cases, and prompt handling of hotspots according to MARD’s regulations and guidelines.

4.2.7. Ministry of Information and Communications shall:

Direct mass communications authorities to provide accurate information on ASF situation and anti-ASF measures for people promptly; and dedicate a separate column for ASF prevention and control.

4.2.8. Ministry of Finance shall:

Take charge and cooperate with MARD in allocating funding for ASF control as suitable to budget; provide guidelines on financial assistance for owners whose swine must be disposed of according to regulations in the Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP; provide guidelines on financial assistance for the swine product disposal cases not provided for in the Decree No. 02/2017/ND-CP; and provide sufficient chemicals for ASF control for localities.

4.2.9. Other relevant Ministries and regulatory bodies shall direct their affiliates to implement the measures vigorously to control, handle and prevent hotspots from spreading.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

5.1. National Steering Committee

National Steering Committee shall act as the contact point to coordinate and direct the emergency response operations in this Plan throughout the country. Based on the actual situation and progress of ASF, the national committee shall advise and propose the ASF responses to be implemented by Ministries, regulatory bodies and local governments to the Prime Minister.

5.2. Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

5.2.1. Department of Animal Health shall:

-Advise MARD on responses to the abovementioned scenarios.

-Direct, expedite and inspect necessary preparation for ASF from local governments such as local response plans, equipment,chemicals, personnel and the detailed plan for each scenario.

-Act as the contact point for ASF prevention and control in Vietnam. Assess risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam.

-Promulgate guidelines on technical measures for disposal of infected herds,, decontamination and handling of infected zones, and safe pig slaughter and pork consumption.

-Cooperate with the Department of Livestock Production, affiliates of the Ministry of Industry and Trade and governments at all levels in implementing measures for handling of infected pig farms andcollecting, trade and slaughter points containing infected pigs.

-Cooperate with competent local veterinary medicines authorities in hotspot investigation, monitoring and handling.

-Proactively and closely cooperate with affiliates of the Ministry of Information and Communications in formulating messages on ASF prevention and control.

-Act as the contact point for international cooperation in ASF prevention and control under MARD’s direction.

-Participate in formulation of plans and organization of national and international conferences on prevention and control of ASF in Vietnam.

5.2.2. Department of Livestock Production shall:

-Cooperate with the Department of Animal Health in formulating messages on ASF prevention and control and directly participate in communications operation.

-Promulgate guidelines, cooperate with the National Agricultural Extension Center in organizing training and directing localities to enhance application of biosafety measures in pig farming.

-Cooperate with the Department of Animal Health in research on live pigs and pork products supply chains.

-Inspect and expedite ASF prevention and control in localities.

5.2.3. National Agricultural Extension Center shall:

-Cooperate with the Department of Animal Health in formulating messages on ASF prevention and control and directly participate in communications operations.

-Organize training on application of anti-epidemic measures in pig farming in cooperation with the Department of Livestock Production; take charge in formulating documents on biosafe pig farming.

-Organize training on biosafe pig farming and ASF prevention and control for pig producers in large livestock husbandry areas and high-risk zones.

5.2.4. Other units: Planning Department, Finance Department, Science, Technology and Environment Department, Legislation Department, Ministry Inspectorate, National Institute of Veterinary Research and National Institute of Animal Science shall cooperate according to their respective functions and duties.

5.3. Ministry of Finance shall:

-Cooperate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment in reporting funding for ASF prevention and control to the Prime Minister.

-Direct customs authorities to take charge and cooperate with affiliates of other Ministries and regulatory bodies and local governments in preventing smuggling of live pigs and pork products through border checkpoints.

5.4. Ministry of Planning and Investment shall:

Cooperate with the Ministry of Finance in reporting funding for ASF prevention and control to the Prime Minister.

5.5. Ministry of National Defense shall:

-Direct Border Guard forces and maritime police to cooperate with affiliates of other Ministries and regulatory bodies and local governments in preventing smuggling of liveswine and swine products through borders, border checkpoints and border crossings and via seas.

-Give directions and guidelines to all units of the armyon educating people living near bordersinprevention of ASF, trade frauds and illegal transboundary transport of live swine and swine products;and assist disposal of large number of swine and swine products to prevent spread of ASF.

5.6. Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

Direct the market surveillance force and relevant units to cooperate with the veterinary medicines authorities, police force and transport inspectors in preventing and handling trade and transport of live swine and pork products of unknown origin.

5.7. Ministry of Transport shall:

-Promulgate directives prohibiting transport of swine and pork products of unknown origin and strictly handle offenders.

-Direct transport inspectors and relevant units to cooperate with the market surveillance force, veterinary medicines authorities and police force in preventing and handling trade and transport of live swine and swine products of unknown origin in transport hubs.

5.8. Ministry of Public Security shall:

-Direct the police force to cooperate with affiliates of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Transport, MARD and Ministry of Finance in preventing and handling trade and transport of live swine and pork products of unknown origin; upon detection of ASF, direct the police force to cooperate with competent authorities in control of vehicles traveling to and from infected zones, high-risk zones and surveillance zones to control transport and trade of swine and swine products, carry out sanitation and decontamination, and handle violations strictly.

-Direct the police force to investigate into the entities transporting and trading live swine and swine products through the border.

5.9. Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall:

Direct Vietnamese diplomatic missions to obtain information and report ASF progress in other countries promptly to advise the Government on appropriate measures.

5.10. Ministry of Science and Technology shall:

Cooperate with MARD and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in developing plans for research on scientific and technical solutions for ASF prevention and control.

5.11. Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall:

Cooperate with MARD in providing guidelines for environmental remediation measures of service to ASF prevention and control.

5.12. Ministry of Information and Communications shall:

Direct press agencies and grassroots radio systems to raise the awareness towards the risk of ASF introduction into Vietnam and measures to mitigate such risk.

5.13. Provincial People’s Committees shall:

-Direct Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development to cooperate with local and central committees and regulatory bodies in formulating and proposing plans for their provinces based on this Plan to competent authorities for approval.

-Assign specific tasks to governments at all levels and local committees and regulatory bodies to implement central and local anti-ASF measures consistently.

-Direct governments at all levels and local committees and regulatory bodies to further inspect and expedite ASF prevention and control according to central and local guidelines and regulations of laws.

5.14. Central Committee of Vietnamese Fatherland Frontshall direct local Vietnamese Fatherland Fronts to participate in prevention and control of epidemics of animal diseases in general and ASF in specific with governments at all levels and relevant regulatory bodies efficiently.

This Plan will be updated and modified regularly and promptly based on global and domestic ASF progress and update as well as the actual prevention and control operation.

APPENDIX 1:

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
(Enclosed with Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

1. General characteristics of African swine fever

African swine fever (ASF) is a dangerous viral infectious disease. It affects pigs of all ages and kinds (both domesticated and wild), leading to heavy casualty and a death rate as high as 100%. African swine fever virus (ASFV) is highly resistant to the environment. Recoveringpigs may carry the virus for long periods of time or even throughout their lifetime, thus, it is difficult to eliminate ASF once it occurs.

2.Characteristics of ASFV

-ASFV is a member of the Asfarviridae family, genus Asfivirus. It is a large, enveloped, icosahedraland double-stranded DNA virus with a size of 200 nm. 22 of its genotypes and multiple strains of different virulence (high, moderate and low) have been discovered.

-ASFV can be found in blood, organs and bodily fluids of ASF infected pigs and pigs dying of this disease.Survivors will carry ASFV in its chronic formfor life. Additionally, a natural vector of ASF is the soft tick of the Ornithodoros genus.

-ASFV is highly resistant and can exist in excrement, bodily fluids, carcasses, pork and pork products such as sausages, ham and salami. ASFV persists in low temperatures, especially in raw pork or pork cooked at a moderate to low temperature, where it can survive for 3-6 months; ASFV can be eliminated if heated at 56oCfor 70 minutes or at 60oC for 20 minutes. ASFV can also survive in decomposed blood for 15 weeks; in dry blood for less than 70 days; in feces at room temperature for 11 days; in swine blood kept at 4oC for 18 months; in bone-in pork at 39oC for 150 days; in ham for 140 days and at 50oC for 3 hours.

ASFV can be destroyed in a serum-free environmentwith a pH of less than 3.9 or higher than 11.5. ASFV can survivein serum with a pH of 13.4 for 7 days; and in a serum-free environment for 21 hours.

ASFV can be inactivated by ether, chloroform, iodine compounds, 8/1000 sodium hydroxide (30 minutes), 3/1000 formalin (30 minutes), hypochlorites—2.3% chlorine (30 minutes) and 3% ortho-phenylphenol (30 minutes).

Resistance of African swine fever virus.

Source: FAO

Targets of disinfection for African swine fever

Source:Australian veterinary plan (AUSVETPLAN) disease strategy: African swine fever,

3.Pathogenesis and transmission of ASFV

-The incubation period for ASF is between 3-15 days, and between 3-4 days for the acute form.

-ASFV can be transmitted through the respiratory tract and digestive tract, via direct or indirect contact with infected objects such as farms, stalls, vehicles, tools or clothing, consumption of leftover food containing infected pork or bites of the soft tick.

4.ASF distribution

-In 1921, ASF was reported for the first time in Kenya and subsequently became endemic in many African countries.

-In 1957, ASF was detected and reported in Europe for the first time; it was also reported in American countries.

-In 2007, ASF spread to the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia, which divides Europe and Asia. ASF has now become an endemic disease in many countries around the world.

-According to updates from World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), from 2017 to November 08, 2018, ASF has been reported in 19 countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Republic of Chad, China, Cote D'Ivoire, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Nigeria, Poland, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine and Zambia. Total number of infected pigs is 372 thousand; number of death cases is 123 thousand; and total number of potentially infected pigs that must be disposed of is over 840 thousand.

Current African swine fever distribution map (updated on August 18, 2018).

- In China, according to updates from OIE and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), from August 03, 2018 to November 08, 2018, this country reported a total of 58 hotspots in 15 provinces (including Anhui, Heilongjiang, Henan, Liaoning, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, Tianjin, Shanxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Yunnan (in Simao district of Pu'er City, 150 km from the Northwest of Vietnam), Hubei, Jiangxi, Chongqing and Fujian). More than 210 thousand pigs of all kinds have been disposed of.

5.ASF symptoms and postmortem findings

a) Clinical diagnosis

-Infected pigs may display a variety of symptoms depending on the severity of the disease. As these symptoms are identical to those of classical swine fever (an endemic disease in Vietnam), it is difficult to diagnose ASFbased on its clinical symptoms and lab tests must be performed to detect ASFV.

-Peracute form is caused by highlyvirulent ASFV and characterized by quick death with no clinical signs or lying down and high fever before death occurs.

-Acute form is caused by highly virulent ASFV. Pigs contracted this form of ASF have high fever (40.5-42oC).In the first 2-3 days, leucocytes and platelets decrease. Signs includeloss of appetite, inactivity, huddling, tendency to lie down in the shade or near water, pain in the abdomen, bowed back, abnormal movements, reddening of the skin, especially bluish-purple discoloration of the pinna, tail, legs, the skin of the chest and abdomen. 1-2 days prior to death, the animals display neurological signs, instable movements, induced heart rate, hyperventilation, dyspnea or bloody froth from the nose, eye inflammation, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, which may progress from mucoid to bloody. Death occurs between 6 to 13 or 20 days. Pregnant sows may abort at all stages of pregnancy. Lethality can be as high as 100%. Survivors or pigs developingthe chronic form usually show no symptom but are ASFV carriers for life.

-Subacute form is caused by moderately virulent ASFV and mostly found in Europe. Infected pigs show less intense symptoms, including mild or fluctuating fever, lack of appetite, weight loss, depression, pneumonia in both lungs, which leads to dyspnea, coughs that bring up sputum and/or superinfection, arthritis and difficulty moving. The disease lasts for 5-30 days. If pericardial effusion (acute or heart failure) occurs, death and/or abortion may happen. Pigs die within 15-45 days. Lethality ranges from 30-70%. The animals can recover or develop chronic ASF.

-Chronic form is caused by moderately or lowly virulent ASFV and mostly found in Angola and Europe. Infected swine display various symptoms such as weight loss, fluctuating fever, respiratory issues, skin necrosis or chronic ulcer, arthritis, myocarditis, porcine pleuropneumonia and arthritis in different joints during development stage.Symptoms last for 2-15 months. Lethality rate is low. Survivors will develop the chronic form.

b) Postmortem findings

-For acute form: hemorrhagicgastrohepatic and renal lymph nodes; renal petechiae; enlarged and infarcted spleen; darkened and edematous skin;hemorrhage in the skin of the abdomen and legs; pericardial or peritoneal effusion; petechiae onthe epiglottis, the bladder and the surface of internal organs; edema in the mesenteric structures of the colon and adjacent to the gallbladder; andedematous gallbladder.

-For chronic form: pulmonary mineralization or lymphoid necrosis, enlarged pulmonary lymph nodes, anddry pleurisy.

6.ASF diagnosis

a) Differential diagnosis

-ASF and classical swine fever are difficult to distinguish based on clinical symptoms and postmortem findings. Therefore, in any case, it is imperative to sample and perform laboratory tests to detect ASF.

-ASF needs to be differentiated from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), especially its acute form, swine erysipelas, Salmonellosis, pasteurellosis, Streptococcus suis, Glasser’s disease, trypanosomiasis, porcine dermatitis and nephropathy syndrome associated with porcine circovirus 2 infection, pseudorabies in shoats and salt poisoning.

b) Samples

-Blood collected during the early febrile stage in EDTA (0.5%).

-Spleen, lymph nodes and tonsils kept at 4oC.

-Serum collected within 8–21 days after infection in convalescent animals.

c) ASFV detection tests

-Cell culture inoculation (primary cultures of pig monocytes or bone marrow cells - mostisolates produce haemadsorption).

-Antigen detection by fluorescent antibody test (FAT) - positive FAT plus clinical signs and appropriate lesions can provide a presumptive diagnosis of ASF.

-Traditional PCR and real-time PCR for testing of suspected cases.

-Inoculation is no longer recommended for use due to high risk of transmission.

- Enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or Indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA) for testing serum.

7.ASF prevention and control

As vaccines and treatment for ASF are not yet available, prevention of this disease is of utmost importance; detection and thoroughly handling of hotspots when they are still small in scale and have not spread; control and quarantine of swine imported or transported; and biosafe husbandry practice are the major measures taken by other countries./.

APPENDIX 2:

SANITATION AND DECONTAMINATION GUIDELINES
(Enclosed with Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

1. Rules for sanitation and decontamination

1.1. Personnel performing sanitation and decontamination must be equipped with appropriate protective gear.

1.2. Thedisinfectantsused must be high-level broad-spectrum disinfectants with quick contact time that are non-toxic to humans, domestic animals and the environment;suitable to the objects to be disinfected; andeffective for a long period of time.

1.3. Before sprayed with disinfectants, the items to be disinfected must be cleaned using mechanical cleaning methods (sweeping, scrubbing and washing).

1.4. Disinfectants must be mixed and sprayed asprescribed in their manufacturer’s instructions.

2.Types of disinfectants

2.1. Disinfectants included in list of veterinary drugs permitted for sale in Vietnam.

2.2. Lime powder, slaked lime, limewater, soaps and liquid cleaners.

2.3. Other disinfectants provided for by local veterinary medicines authorities.

3.Objects to be disinfected

3.1. Intensive piggeries.

3.2. Pig farming households.

3.3. Stud production premises.

3.4. Swine slaughterhouses.

3.4. Establishments for preliminary treatment and processing of pork and products thereof.

3.6. Swine and swine product markets.

3.7. Places where swine and products thereof are gathered for trade, and quarantine sites for swine and products thereof.

3.8. Disposal sites for infected and suspected cases and products thereof; and swine waste collection and treatment zones.

3.9. Animal quarantine stations and posts, and hotspot control posts.

3.10. Vehicles transporting swine and swine products.

Based on the characteristics of each locality, local veterinary medicines authorities shall identify previously infected zones and high-risk zones that need to be disinfected.

4.Frequency of sanitation and decontamination

4.1. Intensive piggeries shall be sanitized upon request and periodically, and decontaminated as self-scheduled or encouraged by local governments.

4.2. Pig farming households shall have their farming areas sanitized periodically and decontaminated as encouraged by local governments.

4.3. Stud production premises shall be sanitized and decontaminated every timeabatch is sold and as encouraged by local governments.

4.4. Swine slaughterhouses shall be sanitized and decontaminated after each slaughter shift.

4.5. Establishments for preliminary treatment and processing of pork and products thereof shall be sanitized and decontaminated after each shift.

4.6. Gathering places and markets for swine and products thereof shall be sanitized and decontaminated after each market meeting. Swine quarantine sites must be sanitized and decontaminated at least once a week during the period in which the swine are quarantined.

4.7. Vehicles transporting swine and swine products shall be sanitized periodically and decontaminated after each trip.

4.8. Disposal sites for infected and suspected cases and products thereof; and swine waste collection and treatment zones shall be sanitized and decontaminated after disposal or treatment is completed and as encouraged by local governments.

4.9. Vehicles transporting swine and products thereof passing an animal quarantine station or post shall be sanitized and decontaminated.

4.10. Vehicles transporting swine and products thereof passing a hotspot control post during an ASF outbreak shall be sanitized and decontaminated daily.

5.The veterinary medicines authority of an ASF infected locality shall provide specific guidelines on objects to be disinfected and frequency of sanitation and decontamination for the hotspot, infected zone and high-risk zone.

APPENDIX 3:

GUIDELINES FOR COMPULSORY DISPOSAL OF INFECTED SWINE AND PRODUCTS THEREOF
(Enclosed with Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

1.Disposal rules

a) The animals must be culled using electricity or another method (if any).

b) Disposal shall take place at the site permitted by competent state agencies, prioritizing locations near the infected production area or other suitable locations near the hotspot.

c) Equipment and tools used to transport by-products and other products to disposal sites must have flooring; and undergo sanitation and decontamination before and after transport; participants in disposal of infected and suspected cases must be disinfected to prevent the disease from spreading.

2.Disposal methods

a) Burial.

b) Cremation, including incinerators andpit burning. For pit burning, the carcasses and animal products shall bepacked into bags andburned in a pit using wood, coal, straw, gasoline, oil, etc., which shall then becovered overwith compacted soil.

3.Transport of animals and animal products to disposal sites

a) If a disposal site is located outside of the hotspot, before being transported, the animal carcasses and products must be packed into bags, which are then tightly sealed and gathered to be sprayed with disinfectants; if an animal cannot fit inside a bag, it must be laid on top of a sheet made of nylon or another non-absorbent materialinside the vehicle’s storage space.

b) Vehicles transporting animal carcasses and products must have flooring to prevent waste spillage on the road.

c) Vehicles transporting animal carcasses and products must be sanitized and decontaminated according to guidelines from veterinary medicines authorities before and after delivering the bags to the disposal site or leaving the disposal site.

4.Disposal pit specifications

a) Location: Disposal pits must be located in an area of sufficient size at least 30 meters away from dwellings, water wells and animal pens,preferably in gardens (fruit gardens or tree plantations).

b) Size: The width of disposal pits must be proportionate to the weight of the animals, animal products and waste to be disposed of. If one tonne of animal is to be buried, the disposal pit must be at least 1.5 - 2m x1.5 - 2m x 1.5 - 2m in size.

5. Disposal procedure

After the disposal pit is created, sprinkle a layer of lime powder over the pit’s bottom (01 kg powder per a square meter), place the bags into the pit, spray disinfectant or sprinkle lime power over the surface, cover it over with soil and press tightly; the bags’ surface must be at least 0.5m lower than ground level; the pit must be covered with at least 1m of soil the surface of which shall be above ground level to prevent water from pooling and causing collapse. Spray disinfectant over the disposal site to complete the disposal.

6. Disposal pit management

a) Warning signs must be placed near disposal pits.

b) Provincial People’s Committees shall manage and periodically inspect disposal pits, and promptly handle if any pit collapses, subsides, leaks or releases unpleasant smell.

c) Disposal sites must be marked on the commune's map and information thereof shall be archived in commune-level People’s Committees.

8. In case another organization or individual is hired to carry out the disposal, the local veterinary medicines authority shall supervise such disposal to ensure compliance with the techniques prescribed herein./.

APPENDIX 4:

COST ESTIMATE FOR PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER
(Enclosed with Decision No. 4527/QD-BNN-TY dated November 15, 2018 by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)