According to the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), the outbreaks were recorded in the provinces of Cao Bang, Thai Nguyen and Lao Cai.
A total of 58 animals were affected: 46 buffaloes, 11 goats and one pig. The pig died and was destroyed.
Genetic sequencing confirmed that the outbreaks were caused by foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype A.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classified the event as an ongoing recurrence of the disease.
Serotype A Had Not Been Reported for Around Eight Years
FMD serotype A was last recorded in Vietnam around 2018. Earlier outbreaks of this serotype were also reported in 2004 and during 2015–2017.
At the same time, serotype O has remained the dominant strain in the country since 2020.
The return of serotype A is particularly significant for disease-control measures because vaccines against serotype O do not provide protection against serotype A. For this reason, vaccines matched to the newly detected serotype were used during outbreak-control efforts.
Livestock Movements Considered the Likely Transmission Route
The official source of the virus introduction remains inconclusive.
However, findings from the national investigation indicate that livestock movements between the Nghien Loan and Tra Linh markets may have been the likely route of transmission. These are among the largest cattle trading hubs in northern Vietnam.
Veterinary authorities subsequently strengthened disease surveillance at markets in the region and began tracing animal movements.
Ring Vaccination Used to Contain the Outbreaks
To control the disease, the authorities introduced a range of measures, including:
- quarantine;
- restrictions on animal movements;
- disinfection;
- ring vaccination using vaccines matched to serotype A;
- enhanced surveillance and contact tracing.
According to SHIC, no new FMD cases have been reported since 12 July.
Vietnam Launches New Animal Disease Control Strategy
The outbreak coincided with the rollout of the 2026–2030 National Plan for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza, African Swine Fever and Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
The new plan replaces previous separate FMD control programmes with an integrated strategy.
It provides for:
- risk-based vaccination;
- genomic surveillance of circulating virus strains;
- expansion of disease-free production zones;
- a more comprehensive approach to controlling major transboundary animal diseases.
One of the programme’s targets is to reduce the number of FMD outbreaks and compulsory animal culling by 30% compared with the 2021–2025 average.
The return of serotype A after an eight-year absence has therefore become the first major test for the new control system. The absence of new cases since 12 July suggests that the current outbreaks have been contained, although the re-emergence of a serotype not seen in recent years will require continued enhanced surveillance and adaptation of vaccination programmes.
PigUA.info, based on materials from thepigsite.com