Vietnam tightens airport checks to prevent foot-and-mouth disease

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has instructed aviation units to strengthen surveillance and screening at airports across the country to prevent the potential entry of the virus, with a focus on the SAT1 serotype.

All airports must tighten epidemic prevention procedures and strengthen compliance with disease control regulations.

The CAAV also called for closer coordination with relevant ministries, agencies, and local authorities to detect and handle cases involving the illegal transport or trade of animals and animal products without clear origin or quarantine certification.

These measures aim to prevent the spread of FMD and other animal diseases via air transport routes.

According to the CAAV, FMD is a dangerous infectious disease that spreads rapidly among livestock such as buffalo, cattle, pigs, goats, and sheep.

The FMD virus is classified into seven serotypes: A, O, C, Asia1, SAT1, SAT2, and SAT3.

In Vietnam, serotypes previously recorded in circulation include O, A, and Asia1, with type O remaining the most prevalent.

These serotypes differ in their antigenic structure, meaning immunity to one does not provide full protection against others.

SAT1, previously confined mainly to Africa, has recently shown signs of geographical expansion.

Since March 2025, outbreaks have been reported in Iraq and several countries across the Middle East and West Asia.

In early April 2026, China reported its first outbreaks in cattle in Gansu and Xinjiang Provinces.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, SAT1 has not yet been detected in Vietnam.

However, the risk of introduction is assessed as high, particularly through illegal cross-border transport and trade of livestock and animal products.

FMD vaccines currently licensed in Vietnam mainly provide protection against serotypes O, A, and Asia1 and are not effective against SAT1.

As a result, if the SAT1 serotype is introduced into Vietnam, it can cause significant damage to the livestock sector, particularly cattle and buffalo herds, the ministry warned.