One Health Strategy in Livestock Disease Management: Coordinating People, Animals, and the Environment

Vietnam’s livestock sector is facing increasingly complex disease risks, especially in areas with high livestock density, frequent animal trade, and uneven biosecurity conditions. Diseases such as avian influenza, African swine fever, zoonotic diseases, and the risk of antimicrobial resistance show that managing livestock diseases through separate sector-based systems is no longer enough to handle every situation effectively.

The One Health approach is not a new concept. However, in recent years, it has continued to be emphasized in strategies for preventing zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and biosecurity risks. This approach is also aligned with the direction promoted by international organizations such as FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH.

Why livestock disease management in 2026 needs a new approach

Disease pressure in today’s livestock context

Based on epidemiological trends in recent years, diseases such as African swine fever and H5N1 avian influenza are still considered to have a high risk of recurrence, especially in areas with high livestock density, frequent animal movement, or close contact with wild waterfowl.

In addition, emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases — diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans — increasingly require faster and more coordinated cross-sector responses. If disease is handled only within livestock populations without links to public health, environmental management, and local authorities, the prevention and control system may respond too slowly during the early detection stage.

Pressure also comes from the trend toward more intensive livestock production under limited land availability. High animal density, uneven barn conditions, environmental pollution risks, and inappropriate antibiotic use can all increase disease risks. This is an important context that cannot be ignored when planning livestock disease management for the years ahead.

Limitations of the traditional single-sector disease prevention model

The traditional disease prevention model often operates through separate professional channels: livestock and veterinary authorities handle animal diseases; the health sector responds when there is a risk to humans; and environmental units become involved when waste, wastewater, or pollution issues arise. This way of working may be suitable for simple problems, but it can show clear limitations when a disease involves animals, humans, the environment, and the supply chain at the same time.

In some areas, outbreak information may not be shared quickly enough between sectors. Livestock farms may also delay reporting if they are worried about herd culling, penalties, or not receiving timely support. This is a behavioral gap that cannot be solved by administrative regulations alone. It requires a coordinated ecosystem built on trust between farmers, grassroots veterinary workers, health authorities, and local governments.

One Health aims to address this weakness by building a multi-sector coordination mechanism, supporting early data sharing, and enabling risk-based responses instead of waiting until an outbreak has already escalated.

What is One Health and why is it suitable for livestock farming in Vietnam?

Definition of One Health according to FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that emphasizes the close connection and interdependence between the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems. According to the definition developed by the One Health High-Level Expert Panel (OHHLEP) and supported by FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH, One Health aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

It is important to make a clear distinction: OHHLEP is the One Health High-Level Expert Panel. It is not the name of the action plan. The One Health Joint Plan of Action 2022–2026 is the joint action plan of FAO, UNEP, WHO, and WOAH. This plan emphasizes cross-sector coordination to better prevent, predict, detect, and respond to health threats at the human–animal–plant–environment interface.

In the livestock context, One Health is not only a management philosophy. It is an action framework that requires livestock and veterinary authorities, the health sector, environmental agencies, and local governments to share data, coordinate surveillance, and make joint decisions when disease risks arise.

Three coordination pillars: human health, animal health, and ecosystem/environmental health

The first pillar – Human health:

This focuses on monitoring and preventing zoonotic diseases, managing antimicrobial resistance, protecting workers in the livestock sector, and controlling infection risks in the community.

The second pillar – Animal health:

This includes disease surveillance systems for livestock and wildlife, vaccination, animal movement control, veterinary drug management, biosecurity, and early detection of abnormal signs in herds and flocks.

The third pillar – Ecosystem and environmental health:

This focuses on the impact of livestock farming on soil, water, air, waste, antibiotic residues in the environment, and the risk of pathogen transmission from wildlife or surrounding ecosystems.

These three pillars can only work effectively when there are mechanisms for information sharing and coordinated decision-making. If each pillar operates independently, One Health will remain a slogan instead of becoming a practical tool for disease management.

The One Health approach in Vietnam: current policy framework and implementation realities

Vietnam has had a 2021–2025 One Health partnership framework for preventing zoonotic diseases, which was signed under the previous ministerial structure. For articles looking toward the 2025–2026 period, current agency names should be updated when referring to management bodies.

At the central level, relevant focal points now include the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the department responsible for livestock and veterinary management; the Ministry of Health, including the Viet Nam Administration of Disease Prevention; as well as environmental management units and local governments.

In practice, the level of cross-sector coordination can vary between localities, depending on resources, responsible focal points, testing capacity, data-sharing mechanisms, and the proactiveness of the grassroots veterinary system. Therefore, when assessing the effectiveness of One Health in Vietnam, it is important to distinguish between the national-level policy framework and implementation capacity at the provincial, district, and commune levels.

Livestock disease surveillance systems for 2026

Four surveillance components in an integrated system

An integrated livestock disease surveillance system is usually organized around four complementary groups of activities.

Passive surveillance:

This collects disease reports from farms, grassroots veterinary workers, diagnostic laboratories, and local residents. The effectiveness of passive surveillance depends heavily on whether farmers report problems proactively.

Active surveillance:

Technical staff periodically collect samples for testing or conduct risk-based inspections even when there are no clear clinical signs. This approach helps detect pathogens before an outbreak occurs, but it requires appropriate resources, sampling plans, and laboratory capacity.

Event-based surveillance:

This monitors abnormal signals from different sources, such as reports from local residents, local news, unexplained mass animal deaths, unusual changes in feed or water consumption, or farm-level data. These signals need to be verified quickly to determine the response level.

Environmental and wildlife surveillance:

This monitors water, soil, waste, wildlife, or migratory birds to detect potential sources of infection from the ecosystem. This component is especially important for avian influenza, vector-borne diseases, and risks in areas where farms, residential communities, and natural environments intersect.

Digital tools and platforms being applied in Vietnam

The department responsible for livestock and veterinary management is gradually promoting digital transformation in livestock management, veterinary services, and disease reporting. However, the level of data updating from the grassroots level to provincial and central levels may vary between localities, especially in remote areas or places where grassroots veterinary resources remain limited.

Some localities may use software, electronic forms, or rapid reporting applications to help grassroots officers update epidemiological information. However, it should not be assumed that the entire system is already connected in real time. A safer way to describe the situation is to view digitalization as an ongoing process, with different levels of implementation depending on the locality.

At the international level, Vietnam, as a WOAH member, fulfills its obligation to report important animal diseases through official focal points on the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS). WAHIS is WOAH’s platform for publishing official data on epidemiologically significant animal diseases in domestic and wild animals.

Connecting data between livestock and veterinary services, public health, and the environment

Cross-sector data connection is the key point of One Health. If animal epidemiological data and human disease data remain in two separate systems, the ability to detect zoonotic diseases early will be limited.

In some places, cross-sector data-sharing mechanisms may not yet be fully standardized. As a result, coordination may depend heavily on local procedures, focal point capacity, and informal communication channels. Therefore, an important priority is to build clear data-sharing protocols: who reports, who receives the report, how quickly the report must be made, which channel is used, and when a cross-sector response should be activated.

A good protocol does not need to be complicated. At the district and commune levels, the most important requirements are clear focal points, simple reporting forms, regular exchange schedules, and emergency channels when there is a suspected zoonotic case.

Applying WOAH guidance in Vietnam: alignment and practical gaps

Key WOAH standards related to livestock and poultry farming

WOAH issues important technical documents for animal disease management, including the Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals. In addition, the Aquatic Animal Health Code applies to aquaculture.

Key areas directly related to livestock disease management include: surveillance systems capable of early detection and timely reporting; diagnostic laboratory capacity; control of animal and animal product movement; biosecurity in farms, markets, and slaughterhouses; and reporting obligations for listed diseases or important epidemiological events.

Key areas to monitor when moving closer to WOAH standards

The table below describes areas that are commonly monitored when assessing the gap between international standards and practical implementation. This is an indicative table and does not replace a WOAH PVS report or official documents from the relevant Vietnamese authority.

WOAH requirement/recommendation	Situation to monitor in Vietnam	Note
Surveillance systems capable of early detection and timely reporting	Surveillance capacity may vary between localities	Needs to be checked against official reports from the relevant Vietnamese authority/WOAH
Diagnostic laboratory capacity	Capacity exists at the central level and in some regions, but access to rapid testing may not be uniform	Should be assessed by disease and by region
Traceability and control of animal movement	Being promoted, but coverage may vary	Especially important for pigs, poultry, and quarantine
Biosecurity at livestock facilities	Large farms often have better conditions for implementation than smallholders	Smallholders need simple, low-cost guidance
Cross-sector coordination when zoonotic diseases occur	Clear protocols are needed between livestock and veterinary services, public health, and environmental authorities	Avoid relying only on informal exchanges

Priority areas for improvement toward WOAH standards

Based on WOAH’s general requirements and Vietnam’s practical needs, several groups of actions can be prioritized.

First, Vietnam should continue improving animal identification and traceability systems, especially for pigs and poultry. This is an important condition for movement control, rapid zoning, and meeting the requirements of markets with high standards.

Second, regional testing and diagnostic capacity should be strengthened to shorten the confirmation time when a suspected outbreak occurs. This is especially important for diseases that spread quickly or may affect humans.

Third, information-sharing procedures between livestock and veterinary authorities, the health sector, environmental agencies, and local governments should be standardized. When there is a suspected zoonotic disease, all parties need to know exactly who the focal point is, what data should be shared, and which threshold activates a cross-sector response.

Fourth, biosecurity guidance should be tailored to different target groups. Large farms can apply detailed procedures, while smallholders need guidance that is simple, practical, and low-cost.

How to implement One Health at provincial, district, and commune levels

Step 1: Map local disease risks

Before developing a One Health plan, local authorities need to map disease risks based on factors such as livestock density, animal transport routes, livestock and poultry markets, slaughter points, areas close to wild waterfowl, surface water sources, and outbreak history.

This map is not only useful for livestock and veterinary authorities. The health sector can use it to identify groups with high exposure risk, while environmental units can use it to monitor areas with risks of water, soil, or livestock waste pollution.

Step 2: Establish a cross-sector coordination mechanism

At the district or provincial level, there should be a cross-sector coordination mechanism between livestock and veterinary authorities, preventive medicine/disease prevention authorities, environmental management units, and local governments. The specific names of focal agencies may differ between localities after organizational restructuring, so it is safer to use functional descriptions instead of fixed agency names.

The coordination mechanism should include a regular exchange schedule, clear contact points, information-sharing procedures when a suspected zoonotic disease is detected, and emergency communication channels when an outbreak occurs.

Step 3: Standardize surveillance forms and data

For coordination to work effectively, all parties need to use several shared basic data fields. Examples include: location of the suspected outbreak, animal species, number of sick/dead animals, main symptoms, vaccination status, herd/flock movement history, close human contacts, related water sources, and initial control measures.

Data does not need to be complicated at the beginning. What matters is that the information is consistent, time-stamped, assigned to a responsible person, and shareable quickly with the right focal points.

Step 4: Establish a response procedure when abnormal signals are detected

When abnormal signs are detected, the response procedure should clearly define roles. Livestock and veterinary authorities are responsible for zoning, sampling, applying herd/flock control measures, and conducting disinfection according to regulations. The health sector monitors risks for exposed people if the disease has a zoonotic component. Environmental units support the handling of waste, wastewater, animal carcasses, or risks of transmission through soil and water when needed.

Not every disease requires herd or flock culling. Control measures depend on the type of disease, level of danger, current regulations, and professional assessment results. Therefore, an important lesson from One Health is that responses should be based on risk and evidence, not only on instinct or single-sector experience.

One Health checklist for farms and local management authorities

Checklist for livestock farms

• Keep records of the herd/flock, animal entry and exit dates, and animal origin.
• Maintain clear schedules and records for vaccination, treatment, and veterinary drug use.
• Have a reporting procedure when animals die abnormally or show signs of spreading disease.
• Have an isolation area for newly introduced animals or animals suspected of being sick.
• Avoid keeping multiple species in the same barn or in areas with direct contact. If multiple species are raised, separate housing areas, care equipment, and movement between areas should be controlled.
• Control the entry and exit of people, vehicles, and equipment.
• Maintain cleaning and disinfection procedures for barns, equipment, and vehicles.
• Handle manure, wastewater, and animal carcasses according to guidance from professional authorities.
• Keep contact information for livestock and veterinary officers, local authorities, and health facilities for urgent reporting when needed.

Checklist for local management authorities

• Maintain a list of cross-sector focal points across livestock and veterinary services, public health, environmental authorities, and local government.
• Have an information-sharing procedure when a suspected zoonotic disease is detected.
• Maintain an active surveillance sampling plan based on disease risks, animal species, and guidance from professional authorities.
• Prepare outbreak response scenarios for farms, markets, slaughter points, and residential areas.
• Develop risk communication plans for farmers, traders, and local residents.
• Organize drills or periodic reviews of cross-sector disease response scenarios, depending on local resources and disease prevention plans.
• Create a mechanism to support farmers in reporting early, especially in cases involving culling or animal movement restrictions.

Common mistakes when implementing One Health locally

Mistake 1 – Creating a coordination committee only on paper

Many places have coordination mechanisms, but lack regular meeting schedules, operating budgets, or only activate the mechanism after an outbreak has already escalated. When urgent coordination is needed, the parties are not used to working together, so time is lost re-establishing communication channels.

Mistake 2 – Providing theoretical training without practical tools

Officers may receive One Health training, but when they return to their localities, they lack forms, procedures, software, budgets, or authority to implement it. Capacity only becomes effective when it is converted into concrete operational tools.

Mistake 3 – Ignoring farmers’ economic concerns

Farmers may delay reporting disease because they are afraid of losing their animals, losing income, or not receiving timely support. If culling support, compensation policies, and risk communication are not clear, disease concealment may continue to weaken the surveillance system.

Mistake 4 – Treating One Health as the responsibility of higher-level authorities

One Health only works when it is understood and practiced at the grassroots level: farms, grassroots veterinary workers, village health workers, commune authorities, and local residents. Protocols and tools need to be simplified so they match the actual capacity of localities.

Important note:

When implementing One Health in Vietnam, it is not advisable to copy models from countries with very different administrative systems and resources. The approach should be adapted to commune/district-level management characteristics, grassroots veterinary capacity, communication conditions in each area, and the actual local budget.

Frequently asked questions about the One Health strategy in livestock farming

How is the One Health approach in Vietnam different from conventional livestock disease prevention?

Conventional livestock disease prevention usually focuses on vaccination, quarantine, biosecurity, and outbreak control after disease has appeared, with livestock and veterinary authorities playing the main role.

One Health expands this scope both horizontally and vertically. Horizontally, it promotes coordination between livestock and veterinary authorities, public health, environmental authorities, and local government. Vertically, it connects farms, grassroots veterinary workers, commune/district levels, provincial authorities, and the central level. The biggest difference is that One Health emphasizes proactive prevention based on cross-sector data instead of passive responses to separate outbreaks.

How does a cross-sector disease surveillance system work in practice at commune and district levels?

At the commune level, an ideal system involves farmers, grassroots veterinary workers, local health workers, and local authorities jointly recording and reporting abnormal signals. When there is a suspected zoonotic case or an unusual animal death event, the information should be passed to the appropriate professional focal point for verification.

At the district or regional level, livestock and veterinary authorities, preventive medicine/disease prevention authorities, environmental units, and local governments coordinate to assess risk, decide on sampling, carry out zoning, communicate risks, and implement response measures. The specific names of focal agencies may vary by locality, so the most important point is to clearly identify functions and responsible persons.

Is Vietnam required to apply WOAH standards in livestock disease management?

Vietnam is a WOAH member and is responsible for reporting and maintaining transparency on animal disease information under WOAH mechanisms. WOAH standards are also an important reference basis in international trade in animals and animal products.

However, practical implementation depends on domestic legal regulations, surveillance capacity, laboratory capacity, local resources, and the specific requirements of each export market.

Can One Health help make livestock product exports easier?

It can help, but it is not the only condition. Depending on the market and product, businesses may need to demonstrate disease status at the national, regional, or facility level. Surveillance systems, laboratories, quarantine, biosecurity, and traceability may also need to meet the requirements of the importing market.

One Health helps increase the reliability of the disease management system, especially when there is a need to demonstrate early detection capacity, rapid response, and cross-sector risk control.

Can small farms apply One Health?

Yes. Small farms do not need to start with a complex system. Basic steps can include keeping herd/flock records, reporting early when abnormal signs appear, separating areas for different species, controlling people and vehicles entering the farm, conducting regular cleaning and disinfection, handling waste properly, and maintaining contact with local veterinary and health focal points.

At the grassroots level, One Health does not necessarily have to be a large project. It can begin with the habit of early reporting, coordinating with the right people, and managing risks based on more complete information.

Conclusion: One Health is the foundation for sustainable livestock disease management

The One Health strategy in livestock disease management is not only an international trend. It is also a practical approach to dealing with increasingly complex risks at the human–animal–environment interface.

For Vietnam, One Health is especially important in the context of intensive livestock production, recurring disease outbreaks, zoonotic risks, antimicrobial resistance, and export market pressure. However, the effectiveness of One Health does not lie in cross-sector slogans. It lies in the ability to turn coordination into concrete procedures: clear focal points, reliable data, response scenarios, information sharing, and support mechanisms that encourage farmers to report early.

In the 2025–2026 period, localities and farms should view One Health as a long-term foundation for upgrading livestock disease management systems. When farmers, livestock and veterinary authorities, the health sector, environmental units, and local governments look at the same risk through the same data system, early detection and disease control can be improved compared with the traditional single-sector approach.

Stay Updated on Livestock Disease Management and Biosecurity Trends at VIETSTOCK 2026

VIETSTOCK 2026 – Vietnam’s Premier International Feed, Livestock and Meat Processing Industry Show – is expected to bring together more than 300 brands and 13,000 trade visitors from many countries, including businesses, veterinary experts, and organizations leading disease prevention and biosecurity efforts in Vietnam and the region. This is an opportunity to:

• Gain direct access to vaccines, veterinary drugs, biosecurity equipment, and animal health management technologies from leading providers
• Exchange insights with experts on epidemiological trends, biosecurity standards, and roadmaps for antimicrobial resistance management suited to Vietnam’s livestock context
• Connect with regulatory authorities, associations, and industry businesses to better understand policy directions and new disease prevention requirements across the supply chain

Time: October 21–23, 2026

Venue: Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), 799 Nguyen Van Linh, Ho Chi Minh City.

Register now to seize opportunities for growth and networking in the livestock industry:

Visitor registration: https://www.vietstock.org/en/online-registration-2/

Event website: https://www.vietstock.org/en/

Contact information:

• Exhibiting: Ms. Sophie Nguyen – [email protected]
• Group Delegation Support: Ms. Phuong – [email protected]
• Marcom Support: Ms. Anita Pham – [email protected]