Vietnam has adopted a 2026–2030 national plan to strengthen the prevention and control of major animal diseases, including avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever. The plan focuses on early detection, vaccination, biosecurity and stronger veterinary services to protect livestock, farmers and food security.
For a farmer, an animal disease outbreak is never just a technical problem. It can mean losing animals, income, market access and the daily security that livestock brings to a family.
A sick pig, an infected flock or a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in cattle can quickly disrupt an entire household. Animals may have to be culled, sales may stop, movement restrictions may be imposed and consumers may lose confidence. For rural families, the impact can be immediate and painful.
This is why Vietnam’s new National Plan for the Prevention and Control of Animal and Poultry Diseases for 2026–2030 is important. The plan targets three major threats to livestock production: avian influenza, foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
The objective is to reduce disease outbreaks by at least 30%, while limiting economic losses, emergency culling and disruption to food supply chains.
But the plan is not only about responding to outbreaks. It is about preventing them before they spread.
Vietnam wants to strengthen disease surveillance, early warning systems, vaccination, biosecurity, quarantine, slaughter control and veterinary inspection. It also aims to support the establishment of disease-free zones and facilities, which are essential for safer production and stronger trade.
For farmers, these measures can make a real difference. Better prevention means healthier animals, fewer losses, more stable markets and stronger confidence in animal-source foods such as meat, eggs and other livestock products.
The plan also highlights the central role of veterinary services. Veterinarians and animal health workers are the link between national policy and the farm. They detect risks, guide farmers, support vaccination, investigate outbreaks and help ensure that disease control measures are properly applied.
For Africa, Vietnam’s approach offers an important lesson. Major animal diseases cannot be managed only when a crisis begins. Whether the challenge is PPR, foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, rabies or African swine fever, countries need strong surveillance, reliable data, targeted vaccination, functional laboratories and close collaboration with farmers.
The message is clear: prevention protects more than animals. It protects livelihoods, markets, food security and rural resilience.
Vietnam’s 2026–2030 plan shows that investing in animal health before outbreaks occur is one of the smartest ways to protect farmers, consumers and national food systems.
