Training on Disease Prevention, Detection, Response and Recovery for Protected Area Managers in Vietnam

Prior to the training, most participants were unfamiliar with the concept of One Health and were unaware of the zoonotic diseases carried by bats, rodents, non-human primates, and small mammals. After the presentations, they identified risks that are present in their daily work routine. Recognizing that some biosafety measures had already been implemented in their rescue centres and national parks (e.g. setting up quarantine areas, PPE stations prior to entering the animal cages, and safe distance while observing wildlife in the centre), participants saw the need to revisit existing protocols to ensure they meet the standard biosafety requirements. In addition, risk assessment scenarios allowed participants to build their practical experience in conducting risk assessments for activities at their rescue centre or national park. A pre- and post-training exam was administered to measure participants’ understanding of the theories and techniques taught over the two days, finding a marked improvement while also identifying key opportunities for further training and implementation. Members of the rescue centre and national park management staff who attended the training expressed an interest in following the IUCN guidelines in the future.