It only takes 1 minute to compile and report epidemic data using VAHIS

On March 20 in Hanoi, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in collaboration with the National Institute of Veterinary Research (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) organized a workshop to consult stakeholders on the application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in livestock production management and animal disease surveillance in Vietnam.

The workshop is under the framework of Improving human health through sustainable value chains in human-animal-environmental interactions using ICT in Vietnam (ICT4Health) project.

From Vietnam's management perspective, Dr. Pham Thanh Long of the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health stated that the VAHIS system is an online platform designed to manage and report animal disease information quickly and accurately, replacing the traditional reporting methods via text and email.

“Within just one minute, managers can extract all relevant information, from coordinates and total herd data to damage levels. The entire system, from provincial to central levels, has been operating smoothly, demonstrating the country’s transparency and professional disease management capabilities,” Dr. Long emphasized when discussing the effectiveness of the VAHIS system.

The Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health representative highlighted that animal husbandry and veterinary forces are the most critical links in the data supply chain. Thanks to VAHIS, the entire system from provincial to central levels operates seamlessly, enabling quick and accurate data retrieval.

One of VAHIS’s key advantages is its ability to connect information from the provincial to the central level. This connectivity allows veterinary agencies at all levels to report animal disease situations anytime, anywhere, enhancing proactiveness in disease prevention efforts.

At the central level, the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health oversees general information from provinces and cities nationwide. It receives outbreak reports updated by regional and provincial authorities through the VAHIS system. This data is then aggregated to provide timely reports to the Ministry’s leadership, supporting informed decision-making.

At the regional level, the VAHIS system facilitates information management for provinces and cities under the jurisdiction of the Regional Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Departments. These departments verify outbreak reports from provincial authorities, monitor disease developments, and particularly track outbreaks that have not yet surpassed 21 days.

At the provincial level, VAHIS enables the updating of information on terrestrial animal outbreaks within the locality, ensures close monitoring of disease progression in districts, and helps control outbreaks that remain active within the 21-day period.

Since 2018, the Department of Animal Health (now the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health) has developed and refined the first version of VAHIS. The system has gradually expanded its scope to include components such as avian influenza management, rabies surveillance, and support for managing disease-free livestock facilities.

Looking at the experiences of other countries, the Philippine Animal Health Information System (Phil-AHIS) is a good example of an integrated information technology system. Similar to VAHIS, the Phil-AHIS system is designed for animal health management in the Philippines.

The Phil-AHIS system has one advantage over VAHIS, which is its ability to extend information management down to the district level, increasing the effectiveness of disease surveillance, as well as informing ranchers of animal testing and vaccination services. 

As a result, the animal health system is more streamlined, with each locality having only a small team dedicated to data management. With a single focal point for information entry, data is “cleaner” and of higher quality, avoiding redundancy and improving the accuracy of the national dataset.

Dr. Pham Thanh Long explained that Vietnam currently employs two primary forms of disease surveillance. The first is passive surveillance, where farmers report issues as they arise, with information being transmitted from the commune, district, and provincial levels to the central government. The second is active surveillance, exemplified by the avian influenza monitoring program, which has been in place for over 20 years.

Data management and reporting on VAHIS adhere to Circular 07/2016/TT-BNNPTNT, ensuring that information is transmitted and processed efficiently. The system also features long-term data storage with a high level of security.

Mr. Long believes that VAHIS would be further optimized if it could be extended to the commune and district levels. According to Circular 07, outbreak reports from the commune level must be verified by a specialized veterinary management agency. This means that commune-level veterinary staff cannot directly input data into the system; instead, provincial-level staff are responsible for confirming and uploading the information.

A representative of the Department of Livestock Production and Animal Health emphasized that a key future direction is integrating VAHIS into the “One Health” model. This would expand the system’s scope beyond domestic animal diseases to include wildlife health, food safety, and antimicrobial resistance monitoring.

“Hopefully, with improvements in administrative management, each locality will have a unified data system. For instance, Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh have developed management systems tailored to their local conditions, enabling information to flow to regional and central levels much more efficiently,” said Dr. Pham Thanh Long.