EcoHealth
Conservation Medicine: Human Health: Ecosystem Sustainability Official journal of International Association for Ecology and Health
? International Association for Ecology and Health 2011
10.1007/s10393-011-0691-0
Investigating Vietnam?s Ornamental Bird Trade: Implications for Transmission of Zoonoses
Kelly Edmunds1 Contact Information, Scott I. Roberton2, Roger Few3, Simon Mahood4, Phuong L. Bui5, Paul R. Hunter6 and Diana J. Bell1
(1) Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Conservation, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
(2) Wildlife Conservation Society, Vietnam Program, PO BOX 179, Hanoi, Vietnam
(3) Overseas Development Group, School of International Development, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
(4) Fauna and Flora International, 340 Nghi Tam, Hanoi, Vietnam
(5) Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University, 19 Le Thanh Tong, Hanoi, Vietnam
(6) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK
Received: 22 November 2010 Revised: 1 March 2011 Accepted: 20 May 2011 Published online: 2 August 2011
Abstract
Global wildlife trade is financially lucrative, frequently illegal and increases the risk for zoonotic disease transmission. This paper presents the first interdisciplinary study of Vietnam?s illegal wild bird trade focussing on those aspects which may contribute to the transmission of diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Comparing January 2009 data with that of May 2007, we found a five-fold increase to 9,117 birds on sale in Hanoi. Ninety-five percent of Hanoian bird vendors appear unaware of trade regulations and across Vietnam vendors buy birds sourced outside of their province. Approximately 25% of the species common to Vietnam?s bird trade are known to be HPAI H5N1 susceptible. The anthropogenic movement of birds within the trade chain and the range of HPAI-susceptible species, often traded alongside poultry, increase the risk Vietnam?s bird trade presents for the transmission of pathogens such as HPAI H5N1. These results will assist in the control and monitoring of emerging zoonotic diseases and conservation of Southeast Asia?s avifauna.
