Goat Pox, Viet Nam

May 16, 2005

Impact Worksheet

Summary:  Viet Namese animal health officials have reported an outbreak of goat pox that began in January 2005.  This is the first reported occurrence of goat pox in Viet Nam ; the outbreak is attributed to illegal animal movement.  Viet Nam produced 800,000 goats and 6,450 metric tons of goat meat in 2004, but did not export live goats or goat products. 

How extensive is goat pox in Viet Nam , and what was Viet Nam ’s disease status prior to the outbreak?

On May 2, 2005, Viet Nam reported goat pox in Cao Bang, Bac Giang, Lang Son and Hà Tây provinces (highlighted on map).  This is the first reported occurrence of goat pox in Viet Nam .  The outbreaks began in January 2005.  A total of 943 cases in goats have been reported, including 789 (84 percent) deaths.  The outbreak has been attributed to illegal animal movement.  Goat pox causes clinical illness in goats and sheep; goat pox virus can replicate in cattle, but does not cause disease.

Source: OIE Disease Information Report

What is Viet Nam ’s place in the international market for small ruminants and their products?

Viet Nam produced 800,000 goats and 6,450 metric tons of goat meat in 2004.  Viet Nam did not report exports of small ruminants or their products in 2003-2004.  Viet Nam did not produce or export sheep or sheep products in 2003-2004.

Table 1: Small ruminant stocks and production, Viet Nam , 2003 and 2004

Source: United Nations FAO

What are US imports of small ruminants or their products from Viet Nam ?

The US did not import live goats or goat products from Viet Nam in 2004 or January - March 2005.

Source: World Trade Atlas; VS Import Tracking System

What are Canada and Mexico ’s imports of small ruminants or their products from Viet Nam ?

Canada and Mexico did not import live goats or goat products from Viet Nam in 2004 or January - March 2005.

Source: World Trade Atlas

What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from Viet Nam ?

During 2004, 12,401 air passengers arrived in the US from flights originating in Viet Nam . 

As part of USDA, APHIS-PPQ’s Agricultural Quarantine Inspection Monitoring system, 624 air passengers arriving in the US from Viet Nam in fiscal year 2004 were sampled for items of agriculture interest.  No passengers were carrying goat or sheep products.

Source: Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, US Department of Commerce, USDA APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection databases, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

CEI’s plans for follow up:

No follow-up is currently planned regarding the outbreak of goat pox in Viet Nam .  If you need more information or to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message or contact Kathy Orloski at (970) 494-7221.