Zoonotic pathogens and diseases detected in Vietnam, 2020–2021

Abstract

Vietnam has been identified as a country at high-risk for emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic diseases. The government of Vietnam recognized five priority zoonoses, including highly pathogenic avian influenza, rabies, leptospirosis, anthrax, and Streptococcus suis, and established a framework for One Health investigation and response to these diseases. From July 2020 to February 2021, quantitative data of zoonoses were collected from an online survey in 61 of 63 provinces based on either clinical diagnosis or laboratory confirmation. The responses were followed up by using in-depth interviews, and scientific literatures on zoonoses in Vietnam during 2010 to 2020 were reviewed. A total of 234 human health professionals and 95 animal health professionals responded to the survey. The proportion of clinical-based respondents was higher than laboratory-based respondents in both human health (130/234, 55.6%) and animal health (65/95, 68.4%) sectors. There were differences in the reported frequency of zoonoses between human and animal health professionals, and between clinical-based and laboratory-based respondents. Rabies was the most serious zoonotic disease based on the number of human cases and the geographic distribution. No human cases of avian influenza infection have been reported since 2015, although the H5 subtype viruses have been found in poultry. Besides, some bacterial, fungal, and parasitic zoonoses were detected in both humans and animals. Out of the 75 zoonoses identified, we recommend that the original five prioritized zoonoses, plus 24 additional zoonoses, should be targeted for future prevention, detection, and control under One Health approach in Vietnam.