In Viet Nam, the success rate to improvement in the level of poultry production and prevention against pathogenic zoonotic diseases like HPAI, are highly dependent on the success rate of implementation of biosecurity in semi commercial farms which are categorised by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as sector 3 farms.

The benefits of biosecurity are that it helps keep out diseases such as avian influenza (AI) and other poultry diseases like Newcastle.  It helps reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans like salmonella, helps limit disease spread to other neighbouring households and farms and  also helps improve overall flock health.

The high variation in different ways of production and the lack of awareness and available of required tools for implementing biosecurity are the main factors that obstruct implementation of such measures in poultry farming practices in the country.

It is important to know that infectious virus can survive for long periods in the environment when virus particles are protected within avian faeces and other organic matter.  Avian Influenza virus can be and is spread from farm to farm by the movement of people, vehicles, motorbikes, cages and other equipment which are contaminated with infected faeces.  Basic washing with soap and water followed by simple disinfection destroys the virus and can virtually eliminate the risk of disease transmission.

With funding from donors, FAO is working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, of the Government of Viet Nam in building capacity towards improvement in the biosecurity levels, particularly at the laboratory, quarantine station and farm levels