Poster #21 - Development and use of mobile application for transboundary animal and emerging zoonotic diseases surveillance – a One Health project for improving human, animal health and food security in Vietnam

Background: Vietnam has been identified as a “hotspot” for Transboundary Animal and Emerging Zoonotic Diseases (TAEZDs) in South East Asia. In the framework of the “Improving human health through sustainable value chains in human-animal-environmental interactions using ICT in Vietnam (ICT4HEALTH)” project funded by Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, we developed and used a mobile application, named Farmvetcare, to improve the timeliness and accuracy of surveillance and response to TAEZDs in two pilot provinces (Hoa Binh and Lao Cai) in Vietnam.

Methods: We adopted a One Health approach, involving stakeholders from animal, human, and environmental sectors. Along with the mobile application development, testing and piloting to combat the TAEZDs effectively. From 2024, farmers will be trained to use this application to exchange and report information (inquiries by messages, photos, calls) about TAEZDs (focusing on African swine fever, Foot-and-mouth disease, Leptospirosis, Avian Influenza, and Streptococcosis) with local vets/provincial department of animal health. We also will provide trainings about One Health principles to veterinary, health staff and trainings about diseases management, biosecurity for farmers and vets; risk communication management for traders, slaughterhouse workers and wet market workers as well as will support awareness creation campaigns at the community level on food safety and human/animal health as the intervention activities. Besides, blood and swab samples will be collected from animals, farmers, and their family members.

Expected results: At least 1000 farms and 40 local vets in the selected sites will actively participate. The vets are required to answer the inquiries within 24 h. This process will help local authorities and vets to be well informed of potential emerging disease outbreaks in their monitoring areas and will respond in a timely manner. Laboratory test results will be used to evaluate disease surveillance, assess the risk and prevalence of TAEZDs in the selected livestock value chains. Users' data will be stored and analyzed to provide better evidence for the development of TAEZDs prevention and control strategies for targeted livestock value chains. Finally, these datasets will contribute to the creation of prediction models, risk maps, and comprehensive risk assessments for TAEZDs in Vietnam.

Conclusion: The findings of the project will provide data and evidences to strengthen using One Health approach along with developing digital extension services and agriculture technology to prevent TAEZDs. This project will also inform policy formulation to improve the management of TAEZDs and improve human/animal health and food security in Vietnam.