What's Happening?
In Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, nearly 40,000 captive wild animals are raised across hundreds of small-scale facilities, posing significant zoonotic disease risks. Local authorities, researchers, and
development partners are implementing a One Health approach to strengthen biosafety, surveillance, and coordination to mitigate these risks. The CGIAR Science Program on Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) supports this initiative, which aims to address the fragmented management and limited disease surveillance that increase public health and environmental risks. A recent workshop in December 2025 brought together various stakeholders to review regulations, identify high-risk zoonotic diseases, and map critical risk points for enhanced surveillance. The province currently has 475 captive wildlife facilities, with many raising endangered species, highlighting the need for improved management and disease control.
Why It's Important?
The initiative in Thai Nguyen Province is crucial as it addresses the complex and growing system of captive wildlife farming, which involves a wide range of species and carries higher zoonotic risks. By applying a One Health approach, the program aims to tackle disease risks at their source, thereby protecting public health and supporting biodiversity conservation. This effort is significant for improving the safety, nutrition, and environmental sustainability of animal and aquatic food systems, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The collaboration between local authorities, researchers, and communities is already yielding tangible benefits, such as improved surveillance and safer farming practices, which are essential for preventing disease outbreaks and ensuring sustainable livelihoods.
What's Next?
Building on the workshop discussions, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners plan to conduct a province-wide assessment of captive wildlife farming. This assessment will generate evidence on farming scale, biosafety conditions, and zoonotic disease risks, which will inform targeted management and intervention measures in the next phase. From 2025 to 2030, the SAAF program aims to enhance livelihoods and health by improving the safety and sustainability of animal and aquatic food systems. Continuous capacity building for authorities and farmers, along with updated technical guidelines and stronger biosafety standards, will be critical in achieving these goals.
