Vientiane (Lao PDR), 18 April 2024 – The United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Environment Team is continuing its field visits to zoos, wildlife farms and other facilities legally handling wild animal species in Lao PDR. The visits are part of the EU-funded SAFE Project, a regional effort aimed at identifying high-risk facilities for zoonoses, diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Assessments – 164 in total – have also been taking place in Thailand, Viet Nam and the State of Sabah, Malaysia, since October 2022.
To increase ownership, transparency and engagement, most visits involve not only the SAFE team, but also representatives of the relevant Government counterparts. In Lao PDR, UNODC has been working with the Department of Forestry (DoF) since June 2023 to study over 40 facilities in various locations around the country.
“This is a new topic in Laos and not many people know about zoonotic diseases. We are interested in the information from the data assessments, and it could be helpful if UNODC could join us or other relevant agencies on a future project related to One Health,” said Mr. Chanthone Phothitay, Deputy Head of CITES, Department of Forestry, Lao PDR, who participated in many of the field surveys.
Initial findings were discussed on 31 October 2023 at a meeting of the national advisory committee, which was set up as part of the project and comprised of Lao government and UNODC representatives. The final results will be pivotal in allowing countries to develop better biosafety standards in line with the One Health approach, which recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals and ecosystems.
According to Ms. Ina Marčiulionytė, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Laos, the SAFE project pursues the objectives from the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, which proposes measures for countering global biodiversity loss and for protecting and restoring ecosystems. As such, EU contribution to this project aims to help mitigate risks posed by new zoonotic diseases and pandemics.
Facilities were selected for this study based on a Risk Assessment Framework and comprised mainly wildlife farms, zoos, restaurants, facilities allowing visitor–wild animal interactions and wet markets selling wild meat.
Collecting detailed data from each facility involves interviewing owners and staff, using a comprehensive questionnaire developed for this purpose. The survey is divided into nine sections: socio-economic, compliance, waste management, trade chain, traceability, awareness, containment, species range, and animal health/condition. Specific questions include, for example, “Do you know where all the animals in your facility come from?”, “What type of license do you have to operate”, or “Is there a dedicated area to put sick animals in your facility?”.
In addition to the interviews, the field survey also contains an observation component. This involves a walk through the facility to assess conditions, animal health, actual facility practices, biosecurity practices and risk concerns.
Caged macaque kept outside a hotel for occasional interaction and entertainment.
The data collected about the various facilities will be analysed by the project scientific advisory committee, comprised of scientists, wildlife experts and public health specialists. Their findings will be presented in the form of a report to national governments and are intended to serve as a basis to discuss national mitigation strategies and identify areas for improvement in terms of policies and legislation.
Click here to learn more about the SAFE Project
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The SAFE project, implemented by the Environment Team of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), benefits from the financial support of the European Union (EU).
