Severe Acute Respiratory Infection Collaborative surveillance and monitoring outbreak, Viet Nam

PURPOSE: Lack of understanding of the circulation, emergence of avian influenza new strain viruses, and risk of transmission from animal to human were big challenges causing heavy losses in human life and socio-economic. SARI collaborative surveillance has been set up and operated to fill the gaps in the border province of Vietnam - Cambodia. METHODS & MATERIALS: Clinical, epidemiological data and outcomes of SARI patients were collected in provincial hospital. Samples were performed by PCR technique for influenza and non-influenza viruses included Coronaviruses, Paramyxoviruses, Filoviruses, and Flaviviruses. Positive influenza samples were isolated and characterized. Information sharing and risk analysis were conducted between animal health and public health sectors RESULTS: SARI patient per year was 14.4% (3016/20956) among hospitalized and incident rate was 534.4/100000 population. Annual death caused by SARI ranged from 6.6 - 12.5%. Most SARI patients were neonatal (55.4% - 529/95)). Among 20.1% (955/4741) represented SARI patients were tested, respiratory and influenza virus-positive samples were 70.4% (673/955) and 24.9% (238/955) respectively. Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 virus was dominant (50.9%) and RSV accounted for 16.6% (159/955) and mostly in children <5. Coronaviruses and paramyxoviruses were detected. Coinfected respiratory viruses was 25.6% (245/955). H5N1, H9, and H5N6 viruses have been detected in domestic poultry and pig. CONCLUSION: Collaborative surveillance fundamentally contributed to monitoring the evolution, showed risk of transmission of avian influenza viruses to human exists considerably high, and strengthened the pandemic preparedness capacity of public health and animal health sectors. Intensive studies and wider expansion to multi-sector coordination and across-national borders are needed.