aviNews English version 8-5-26 >>

Active avian influenza outbreaks in nine Vietnamese provinces have prompted tighter disease control and vaccination measures.

Vietnam’s Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has urged local authorities to intensify containment measures as avian influenza continues to spread. Active outbreaks remain in nine provinces and cities, raising concerns over low vaccination coverage and the risk of further disease transmission.

Since early 2026, the situation has remained complex. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment have recorded 80 outbreaks across 73 communes and wards in 17 provinces and cities.

More than 349,000 poultry have died or been culled. Of these, 26 outbreaks in nine provinces and cities have not yet completed the mandatory 21‑day disease‑free observation period.

The affected localities include Ninh Binh (6 outbreaks), Thanh Hoa (5), Cao Bang (4), Nghe An (3), Dien Bien, Tuyen Quang and Khanh Hoa (2 each), and Bac Ninh and Da Nang (1 each).

Vaccination gaps heighten risks

Animal health officials warned that the risk of new outbreaks remains high. Poultry restocking, transport, slaughter, and trade continue, while many small farms still lack proper biosecurity practices.

The first vaccination campaign of 2026 revealed significant shortcomings. Nationwide, only 127.17 million birds were vaccinated out of the eligible 247.21 million poultry eligible, a coverage rate of just 51.44%. This falls short of the level needed to establish herd immunity.

Several provinces reported particularly low vaccination rates, including Lam Dong (0.51%), Tuyen Quang (2.32%), Da Nang (3.48%), Lai Chau (3.72%), Gia Lai (8.60%) and Thai Nguyen (18.78%).

Authorities also identified weaknesses in vaccination data management, with some localities failing to report accurate poultry populations or submitting inconsistent figures.

Authorities ordered to act swiftly

The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health has directed provincial authorities to assign veterinary personnel to investigate outbreaks and collect samples for testing.

Control measures include the culling infected and suspected flocks, establishing quarantine zones, cleaning and disinfecting farms, and tightening movement controls for poultry and poultry products.

Officials stressed that disease and outbreak declarations must follow legal procedures. Concealing outbreaks, selling infected poultry, illegal slaughter, or improper disposal of dead birds will result in strict penalties.

Affected provinces and cities must inspect every active outbreak, close control gaps, and update progress daily through the Vietnam Animal Health Information System (VAHIS). Consolidated reports are due before 4:00 p.m. every Friday.

Strengthening vaccination and transport controls

To reduce the risk of wider disease spread and potential transmission to humans, authorities are focusing on vaccination, biosecurity, and transport control. Local officials must review poultry populations, particularly smallholder farms and new flocks, and carry out supplementary vaccination.

Vaccine supplies should be prioritized for outbreak areas, buffer zones, high-density regions, and live bird markets, while ensuring vaccine strains match circulating viruses.

The department also urged poultry producers to strengthen biosecurity by limiting movement of people, vehicles, chicks, and feed, disinfecting regularly, and avoiding restocking until disease-free conditions have been restored and vaccination requirements have been met.

Veterinary authorities will continue working with police, market surveillance agencies and border forces to strengthen inspections at poultry trading points, wholesale markets and border areas in an effort to prevent the illegal movement of poultry and poultry products of unknown origin.