Recent scientific evidence shows that the majority of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, with a significant proportion linked to wildlife. The degradation and encroachment of natural habitats, together with the increasing trade, farming, and consumption of wildlife, are amplifying the risk of the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. These risks have been further highlighted in the context of recent global epidemics, underscoring the importance of the One Health approach in disease prevention and control.
In Viet Nam, illegal wildlife trade and commercial wildlife farming pose significant risks to public health and the livestock system due to limited hygiene standards, biosecurity measures, and disease surveillance in many facilities. Health screening of illegally traded wildlife is also not conducted regularly, increasing the risk of pathogen transmission along supply chains and at points of contact between humans, domestic animals, and wildlife.
Against this backdrop, WCS Viet Nam collaborates with research institutes, government agencies, and One Health partners to implement research, disease surveillance, and risk assessment of zoonotic transmission between wildlife, livestock, and humans in high-risk areas. Activities focus on hotspots such as wildlife markets, restaurants serving wildlife products, farming facilities, rescue centers, and areas where wildlife is present near human settlements.
In addition, WCS Viet Nam promotes active and passive surveillance of selected wildlife diseases, combined with training and capacity building for forest rangers, national park and protected area staff, and veterinary officers at various levels on disease detection, case reporting, and the development of wildlife health monitoring protocols. These efforts aim to strengthen disease surveillance systems and reduce the risk of disease transmission between animals and humans.
Key achievement
- Implemented the One Health Project for the 2025–2027 period in collaboration with the National Institute of Veterinary Research and relevant authorities in five provinces and cities, including Bac Ninh, Dong Nai, Ha Noi, Ninh Binh, and Quang Tri, to study, monitor, and assess the risk of disease transmission between wildlife, livestock, and humans. (2025)
- Conducted risk assessments of disease transmission at wildlife farming facilities in Quang Tri Province, providing practical evidence to support disease risk management within wildlife supply chains. (June–September 2025)
- Strengthened intersectoral cooperation among veterinary authorities, conservation management agencies, and One Health partners to develop and optimize wildlife health surveillance systems in Viet Nam.
Consultation workshop on the “Policy and Legal Analysis Toolkit” to strengthen the policy and legal framework using a One Health approach, Ha Noi, July 2026