Department of Animal Health (DAH) with technical support from FAO Viet Nam and financial support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has implemented active surveillance programs for avian influenza (AI) H7N9 using a rapid Penside PCR assay at live bird market (LBM) in border provinces since 2017. Although illegal border crossings of live poultry into Viet Nam significantly reduced over the past few years due to COVID-19 restriction, the risk of H7N9 introduction may increase following recent ease of border restriction.

A mission team consisting of experts from USAID, FAO, and DAH visited Quang Ninh, Lang Son, and Cao Bang from 21 to 24 February 2023 to review the implementation of Penside PCR surveillance, assess provincial preparedness for H7N9 virus introduction, and discuss how MARD, FAO and USAID can collaborate to strengthen Viet Nam preparedness and response to the possible incursion of new AI subtype including H7N9.

So far, there is no H7N9 detected in Viet Nam. The provinces would like to continue conducting active surveillance for H7N9 using the Penside PCR because provinces have a limited budget to conduct surveillance while having long border with many unofficial border gates. Reducing detection time using Penside PCR can facilitate trace back and timely intervention to prevent further spread of new AI virus subtype in poultry and minimizing public health risk.