Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 
Progress Report 
Development of an Improved Capability in 
support of National Bio-security for the 
Surveillance and Control of Foot & Mouth 
Disease in Cattle and Pigs. 
Milestones 7: 4th 6 monthly Report 
Date 01/01/2007 to 30/06/2007 
Table of Contents 
1. Institute Information ____________________________________________ 3 
2. Project Abstract _______________________________________________ 4 
3. Executive Summary ____________________________________________ 4 
4. Introduction & Background ______________________________________ 5 
5. Progress to Date _______________________________________________ 6 
5.1 Implementation Highlights ___________________________________ 6 
5.2 Smallholder Benefits ________________________________________ 7 
5.3 Capacity Building___________________________________________ 8 
5.4 Publicity __________________________________________________ 8 
5.5 Project Management ________________________________________ 8 
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues __________________________________ 8 
6.1 Environment_______________________________________________ 8 
6.2 Gender and Social Issues ____________________________________ 8 
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues ____________________________ 9 
7.1 Issues and Constraints ______________________________________ 9 
7.2 Options ___________________________________________________ 9 
7.3 Sustainability ______________________________________________ 9 
8. Next Critical Steps ____________________________________________ 10 
9. Conclusion __________________________________________________ 10 
10. Statuatory Declaration _________________________________________ 11 
11. Project progress against proposed objectives, outputs, activities 
 and inputs___________________________________________________ 16 
1. Institute Information 
Project Name 
Vietnamese Institution Regional Animal Health Centre, Ho Chi 
Minh City (RAHC-HCMC), South Vietnam. 
Vietnamese Project Team Leader Dr. Dong Manh Hoa 
Australian Organisation Australian Animal Health Laboratory 
(AAHL), PMB 24, Geelong, 3213, 
Australia 
Australian Personnel Mr Chris Morrissy 
Date commenced 01/06/2005 
Completion date (original) 01/06/2008 
Completion date (revised) 
Reporting period 01/07/2006 – 31/12/2006 
Contact Officer(s) 
In Australia: Team Leader 
Name: Mr Chris Morrissy Telephone: +61 3 5227 5000 
Position: Diagnostic Virologist 
Supervisor Mammalian 
Virology 
Fax: +61 3 5227 5555 
Organisation Australian Animal Health 
Laboratory (AAHL), PMB 24, 
Geelong, 3213, 
Australia 
Email: 
[email protected]
In Australia: Administrative contact 
Name: Mr Chris Morrissy Telephone: +61 3 5227 5000 
Position: Patents Contracts Officer Fax: +61 3 5227 5555 
Organisation Australian Animal Health 
Laboratory (AAHL), PMB 24, 
Geelong, 3213, 
Australia 
Email: chris.morrissy@csir
o.au 
In Vietnam 
Name: Dr. Dong Manh Hoa Telephone: + 84 8 8568220 
Position: Director Fax: + 84 8 8569050 
Organisation Regional Animal Health 
Centre, Ho Chi Minh City 
(RAHC-HCMC), South 
Vietnam. 
Email: 
[email protected]
n 
2. Project Abstract 
The project’s purpose is to determine why there are vaccine failures, and to 
investigate what serotypes of FMDV are circulating in Vietnam so that the 
correct vaccines can be used for these serotypes. Regional laboratories are 
setup with the reagents and methods to allow a diagnostic capability for 
FMDV diagnosis and serology. Control strategies for understanding of FMD 
epidemiology have been implemented through veterinary and laboratory 
training workshops and laboratory testing for both virus typing and sero-
surveillance have begun. The project has highlighted the importance of having 
a laboratory network to identify what is happening in the field and how to 
prevent and control disease outbreaks. The pilot zones are established in 
provinces near the borders of Vietnam to study serotypes circulating in 
Vietnam and to determine their origin. The quality and collection of samples 
have increased giving more data on the FMD situation in Vietnam. Molecular 
epidemiological studies of the FMDV isolates in these provinces will provide 
insights to the effectiveness of border control and the origin of FMDV 
circulating in Vietnam each year. Virus isolation and molecular studies have 
started to be carried out on FMD samples from the field. A diagnostic capacity 
for FMD would allow the early detection and identification of disease enabling 
better control of disease and help reduce loss of livestock and so productivity. 
3. Executive Summary 
The main focus of this reporting period was to improve the data collected from 
the field studies for sero-surveillance and from disease investigations. The 
Regional Animal Health Centre in Ho Chi Minh City continued to train and 
support the field veterinarians on how to collect samples and how to collect 
information necessary for the history of the animals for the villages in the 
project. The data on the animals from the sero-surveillance is critical to allow 
analysis of the data and for making decisions on cause of vaccine failure. 
The establishment FMD diagnostics in the collaborating laboratories is 
continuing with the HCMC laboratory having FMD diagnostics established for 
virus isolation, ELISA and PCR. The HCMC laboratory is preparing its own 
ELISA antigen for use in the project as part of training to become self 
sufficient. One scientist from the Regional Animal Health laboratory HCMC 
and one scientist from NCVD Hanoi trained at AAHL in FMD diagnostics, with 
a focus on cell culture and QA. 
Two AAHL consultants also carried out training at the HCMC and Hanoi 
laboratories with one consultant also visiting the laboratories at Can Tho and 
Da Nang. The focus of the visit to the four collaborating laboratories was to 
implement the use of the Vietnam antigen produced at HCMC into the FMD 
ELISAs. The first consultant reviewed virus isolation, molecular and ELISA 
technologies for diagnosis of FMD and reviewed ELISA results from the sero-
surveillance. Quality Assurance (QA) was again a important part of the 
training and QA records were reviewed during training visit to each laboratory. 
The project has been asked to attend a number of national meetings to advise 
the Vietnamese Government and DAH on control of FMD. 
Avian Influenza (AI) continues to delay the sero-surveillance in the field as 
field staff deal with the AI outbreak. . 
4. Introduction & Background 
Objectives of the project: 
1. To establish an effective laboratory network for the diagnosis and 
control of FMD by the provision of resources and training of staff in 
required methods and quality assurance. 
2. To provide accurate data to explain failure of vaccination to control 
FMDV and to develop new effective vaccine application strategies. 
Completing these objectives will improve the diagnostic capability of the 
Veterinary laboratories in Vietnam and the training of DAH veterinarians 
in disease investigation and control. This will strengthen the profile of 
DAH which will play a vital role in making Vietnam more economically 
competitive. Improved animal health will lead to an increase in rural 
productivity though increased animal production and indirectly in 
increased crop production. Healthy animals will enable small farmers to 
be more competitive in the local market. Control of FMD and animal 
diseases in general will give poor farmers a more stable income stream 
and reduce their vulnerability to natural and economic problems. 
Establishing a diagnostic network which extends from the North to South 
Vietnam, from the laboratory to the farm level, reinforced by training and 
education, will give Vietnam a working model on which to base disease 
control. This will directly increase the competitiveness and productivity of 
the national agricultural system which includes the major areas of 
concern including the Mekong Delta and the Central Coast. 
Implementation Approach and Strategy 
The project approach is thought to be the most appropriate for developing 
an understanding of FMD epidemiology in Vietnam. The approach for 
technology transfer is well established at AAHL and has been successfully 
applied in previous projects in Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia. The field 
studies and epidemiology and sero-surveillance approaches have been 
designed and planned in conjunction with DAH to provide the maximum 
necessary information to demonstrate the FMD situation in Vietnam and 
the effectiveness of FMD vaccines. The diagnostic technologies that will 
be used in this approach are the standard diagnostic tests in use 
throughout the world to study FMD as directed by OIE. 
AAHL has a lot of experience with field surveys for prevalence of 
antibodies, as in the ACIAR projects in Laos and Thailand on FMD. The 
Philippines is another example where OIE standard diagnostic tests are 
being used to control and eradicate FMD. 
5. Progress to Date 
5.1 Implementation Highlights 
Main achievements for this reporting period were: 
• Further training of field veterinarians was carried out with feedback of 
the results and experiences from first two rounds of testing. The aim was 
to increase the quality of sample and data collection to ensure issues of 
vaccine failure can be addressed. 
• Training of laboratory staff at AAHL, one scientist from the RAHO-HCMC 
and one scientist from NCVD-Hanoi trained at AAHL in FMD 
diagnostics, with a focus on cell culture and QA. The scientist from 
Hanoi also trained in FMD ELISA. Training was carried out under a 
quality system emphasizing the importance of Quality Assurance in the 
laboratory focusing on test maintenance, record keeping and data 
collection. 
• A consultant from AAHL (project leader) reviewed data from the field in 
the HCMC laboratory and outlined the improved required in data 
collection. A plan was made to retest samples to compare antibody titres 
for samples from the provinces to allow identification by serology of the 
circulating isolate. 
• AAHL consultant reviewed cell culture and virus isolation for growth of 
FMD isolates from the field. Cell culture is important to grow FMD virus 
to allow further analysis of FMD field isolates by PCR and sequencing. 
ELISA and molecular techniques were also reviewed. Again Quality 
Assurance, record keeping and data collection was emphasized. 
• The consultant from AAHL also reviewed the transfer of ELISA 
technology to each laboratory and the implementation of a Quality 
Assurance system into the laboratory. The ELISA antigen from HCMC 
was taken to each laboratory to compare the use of this Vietnam antigen 
to the antigen from AAHL. The antigen from Vietnam was found to give 
similar results and the production of antigen was a success. 
• Sampling for next round sera collection completed for each province for 
epidemiological studies and sero-surveillance. The collection of tissue 
samples from outbreaks continued to increase giving valuable 
information on the serotypes circulating in Vietnam 
• Virus isolation and cell culture in the process of being setup at the Hanoi 
laboratory. 
• The supply of consumables and further reagents for testing of samples 
by FMD ELISA, molecular technology and cell culture were supplied as 
requested. 
Report from Vietnam: 
ACTIVITIES from Jan 1st 2007 to May 30th 2007 
1.Training 
No. Date & place Subject Person in 
charge 
Remark 
1 March, 2007 
- Expert from AAHL 
working in Viet Nam 
- Chris 
Morrissy 
- Darren 
Schafer 
- Testing and 
validation the 
first batch of 
FMDV serotype 
O, A and Asia 1 
ELISA antigen 
produced by 
RAHC-HCMC 
2 April 18 – 
May 16, 
2007, 
Australia 
- ELISA in advance 
training 
- Virus isolation 
- Chris 
Morrissy 
- Lynda 
Wright 
- 1 Participant 
from RAHC-
HCMC 
2. Field activities 
2.1.1. Visit to 8 provinces in the project (Middle and South Vietnam), March. 
2007. 
• Transfer the equipments and documents ( form, questionnaire) for 
sample 
collection. 
• Transfer money for sample collection. 
• Feed back the results from third testing round and share the 
experience on 
sample collection with the field veterinarian staff to increase the 
quality of collected samples . 
• Staff in charge : Dr. Hoa, Dr. Vu , Dr. Ha ( RAHC-HCMC) - Dr. 
Quan , Dr.Quang 
(RAHC-Da Nang) – Dr. Thanh , Dr. Dung ( RAHC-Can Tho) 
2.1.2. Visit to 2 provinces in the project (North Vietnam ), March. 2007 
• Transfer the equipments and documents ( form, questionnaire) for 
sample 
collection. 
• Transfer money for sample collection. 
• Feed back the results from third testing round and share the 
experience on 
sample collection with the field veterinarian staff to increase the 
quality of 
collected samples . 
• Staff in charge : Dr. Cam , Dr. Tung ( NVDC- Ha Noi) 
2.2. Collect sera samples from 10 provinces for the four round of 
surveillance , 120 cattle 
 sera and 120 pig sera from each province. 
2.2.1 NVDC-Ha Noi : 02 provinces (Quang Ninh and Lang Son) , total 480 
sera samples. 
2.2.2 RAHC-Da Nang : 02 provinces (Kontum and Quang Nam) , total 480 
sera samples. 
2.2.3 RAHC-Can Tho : 02 provinces (An Giang, Kien Giang ), toatl 480 sera. 
2.2.4 RAHC-HCMC : 04 provinces ( Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, Long An, Dong 
Thap), total 960 sera 
2.3 Collect tissue samples for FMDV typing 
2.3.1 NVDC-Ha Noi : 98 tissue samples from the North , 
2.3.2 RAHC-HCMC : 123 tissue samples from the South . 
3. Laboratory Activities 
3.1 National Vaterinary Diagnostic Center- Ha Noi ( NVDC-Ha Noi): 
3.1.1 Testing on tissue samples for FMDV typing : 98 samples, 89 of the are 
serotype O and 9 are serotype Asia 1. 
3.1.2 Testing on sera for FMDV antibodies detection : 480 sera , test 
finished 
3.2 Regional Animal Health Center Da Nang (RAHC-Da Nang) 
3.2.1 Sending 480 sera to RAHC-HCMC for retest : 480 sera 
3.3 Regional Animal Health Center Can Tho (RAHC-Can Tho) 
3.2.1 Sending 480 sera to RAHC-HCMC for retest : 480 sera 
3.4 Regional Animal Health Center HCMC(RAHC-HCMC) 
3.4.1 Testing on tissue samples for FMDV typing : 123 samples, 01 of them 
is serotype 
 A , 116 samples are serotype O and 06 samples are negative 
 Remark: test is cover 03 serotype : serotype A, O and Asia 1 
3.4.2 Testing on sera for FMDV antibodies detection : 1920 sera ( 960 sera 
in the region and retest 960 sera from RAHC-Can Tho and Da Nang ). 
Test finished 
3.4.3 Isolate FMDV by BHK cell line from 20 selected samples , 01 serotype 
A and 19 serotype O. 
3.4.4 Production FMDV ELISA antigen: 
 Produce the first batch of FMDV antigen 
• Serotype O: 35 ml 
• Serotype A : 35ml 
• Serotype Asia 1: 35ml 
Testing this antigen with reference sera panel from AAHL with the 
expert from AAHL. 
Report by: Ngo Thanh Long 
5.2 Smallholder Benefits 
All pig and cattle and producers are potential beneficiaries. Those that take up 
the advice and use vaccine according to recommendations will benefit 
financially through reduced losses due to death and disease in their cattle and 
pigs. The benefits of a more profitable farming operation flow to all family 
members. Farmers and district veterinarians will have improved knowledge 
and skill in disease prevention, knowledge on the selection of the right 
vaccine and improving the efficacy of vaccination 
5.3 Capacity Building 
Training and education of field veterinarians in disease prevention, disease 
investigation and sample collection has continued with lessons learnt from the 
first round of sero-surveillance and sample collection. This training has 
already shown an impact with an increase in quality of sample collection and 
number of samples collected and submitted to the laboratory. The project has 
provided training and technology transfer of FMD diagnostics to each 
laboratory involved in the project. Reagents and standard methods have been 
supplied to each laboratory giving them the diagnostic capability for FMDV 
diagnosis and serology using ELISA technology, this technology is now being 
practised at each laboratory. The RAHC-HCMC has virus isolation and cell 
culture techniques established and has begun to use molecular technology 
and serology by VNT using cell culture. RAHC-HCMC now has capacity to 
carry out RT-PCR for FMD for detection of FMD antigen and for sequence 
analysis. 
5.4 Publicity 
The CARD AusAID project has received publicity through the training 
programs and also through the achievements so far in the project in 
understanding FMD in Vietnam. FMD is a disease on importance in Vietnam 
and this has put our project into the lime light. The project has been publicised 
through a press release in Australia and articles in news letters including the 
SEAFMD newsletter and on the internet. The results from the project have 
been presented at OIE/SEAFMD meetings during the project. 
5.5 Project Management 
Implementation of the project is on schedule. AAHL has kept the project on 
target and has supported or requests from the Vietnamese partners. Training 
has been carried out in Australia and Vietnam with both partners benefiting 
from the information that is being generated. 
Implementation in Vietnam is also continuing to go well. Trainees have been 
supplied in a timely manner, from DAH. The field work has been organised 
well with data and samples being collected from farms in each pilot zone. 
Training and the transfer of information to other regional laboratories in 
Vietnam is also occurring, RAHC-HCMC is supplying support to these 
laboratories. 
6. Report on Cross-Cutting Issues 
6.1 Environment 
No direct environmental impacts associated with project activities have been 
identified. On a broader scale, the intention is that pig and cattle farming will 
become more efficient through a reduction in animal death and disease. 
Environmental benefit will result through more efficient utilization of resources 
such as animal feed, the energy to provide animal feed and to run other 
aspects of the farm. 
6.2 Gender and Social Issues 
Application of new diagnostic tests will improve the ability of regional and 
provincial diagnostic units to quickly and accurately assess FMD outbreaks, 
enabling rapid and appropriate measures to be applied to control disease. 
These benefits will begin during the project and continue to accrue with 
continued application. The beneficiaries of this project will be both large and 
small farms and particularly smallholder farmers whose animals and incomes 
will be protected by better disease diagnosis, management and control. Since 
women at the village level are the primary animal handlers and managers, 
they will be major beneficiaries of the final outcome of better diagnosis and 
control of animal diseases. 
7. Implementation & Sustainability Issues 
7.1 Issues and Constraints 
DAH continues to spend time controlling the AI outbreaks in Vietnam and this 
has made there workload high. The collection of samples continues to be 
made more difficult by the need to train all veterinarians in each province in 
data collection and on how to collect samples, collection of blood and how to 
restrain cattle. This increased training need has highlighted the need for 
further training of field veterinarians throughout Vietnam in disease 
investigation techniques with a focus on sample collection and data collection. 
There is a need for further input in this area, large scale training of field 
veterinarians to ensure better knowledge and control of disease in Vietnam. 
This could be achieved though better collaboration of aid agencies in Vietnam 
especially those