Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward zoonotic disease transmission among wildlife farmers in Vietnam

Wildlife farming and trade in Southeast Asia contribute to the growing threat of zoonotic diseases.

Despite the diversity of species farmed and the varying levels of risk they may pose, biosecurity practices among wildlife farmers remain underexplored.

A study led by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of wildlife farmers in two provinces in Vietnam to inform targeted interventions for zoonotic risk reduction.

The study was conducted between October 2023 and March 2024 in Lao Cai and Dong Nai provinces, Vietnam among 210 wildlife farmers who raised bats, bamboo rats, civets, and wild boars.

Data were collected by structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions.

The findings of the study are published in One Health Outlook (Oct 2025).

The wildlife farmers demonstrated relatively high knowledge about zoonotic diseases and generally positive attitudes toward zoonotic disease risks and prevention.

With regard to practices, the study found that many farmers normalized risky practices, prioritized convenience and personal experience over disease knowledge, and avoided reporting illnesses due to mistrust in veterinary authorities and fear of negative consequences.

Overall, the study highlights low risk perception and gaps between knowledge and practices among the surveyed wildlife farmers in Vietnam.

This underscores the urgent need for One Health interventions that promote low-cost preventive measures, build trust with authorities, and deliver targeted health education to reduce zoonotic risks from wildlife.

Citation

Ha Thi Thanh Nguyen, Lindahl, J.F., Lam, S., Hung Nguyen-Viet, Sinh Dang-Xuan, Unger, F., Ling, J., Lundkvist, Å., Hu Suk Lee and Bett, B. 2025. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward zoonotic disease transmission among wildlife farmers in Vietnam. One Health Outlook 7: 2.

Photo: A wildlife farm in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam (credit: ILRI/Ha Nguyen)

Curated by Tezira Lore, Communication Officer, ILRI