In a report to the government, the ministry said the rapid geographical spread of the SAT1 strain reflected its strong adaptability and transmissibility, increasing the likelihood of cross-border transmission into Vietnam.
Current foot-and-mouth disease vaccines licensed in Vietnam protect only against the O, A and Asia1 strains and do not provide immunity against SAT1, the ministry said.
Vietnam has around 31.4 million pigs, 6.14 million cattle, 1.95 million buffaloes and more than 3 million goats and sheep susceptible to the disease, it said.
The ministry warned that because SAT1 has never circulated in Vietnam, the country’s livestock population has no immunity against the strain, meaning infection rates could reach 100 per cent if the virus enters the country.
It said Vietnam’s long land border and persistent cross-border livestock smuggling have historically been major routes for the spread of animal diseases.
The ministry said it had received requests from veterinary vaccine businesses and livestock producers seeking permission to import SAT1 vaccines for preventive immunisation, with vaccination costs to be borne by farms.
It proposed that the prime minister allow the import of SAT1 vaccines already approved for circulation by foreign regulators for emergency disease prevention purposes.
The vaccines would be permitted for use at livestock farms after passing domestic quality inspections.
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease affecting cloven-hoofed livestock and poses serious risks to animal husbandry and food security.