Complete genome characterization of two wild-type measles viruses from Vietnamese infants during the 2014 outbreak

A large measles virus outbreak occurred across Vietnam in 2014. We identified and obtained complete measles virus genomes in stool samples collected from two diarrheal pediatric patients in Dong Thap Province. These are the first complete genome sequences of circulating measles viruses in Vietnam during the 2014 measles outbreak

Genome sequences of a novel Vietnamese bat bunyavirus

To document the viral zoonotic risks in Vietnam, fecal samples were systematically collected from a number of mammals in southern Vietnam and subjected to agnostic deep sequencing. We describe here novel Vietnamese bunyavirus sequences detected in bat feces. The complete L and S segments from 14 viruses were determined

Hybrid use of coal slag and calcined ferralsol as wetland substrate for improving phosphorus removal from wastewater

In this study, natural ferralsol (NF) was calcined to enhance its phosphorus (P) adsorption. The NF and calcined ferralsol at the selected temperature (CF500) were characterized by SEM, FTIR, XRD, XRF and other experiments to elucidate changes in morphology and physicochemical properties. CF500 and coal slag (CS) were examined as wetland media individually and combinedly. The applicability of CF500 and CS as the hybrid media in the lab–scale horizontal sub–surface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF–CWs) was evaluated. It was found that 500 °C was the best calcination temperature of NF for P adsorption. The maximum P adsorption capacity of CF500 (19.4 mg/g) was 60.4 ± 2.2 % greater than that of NF. While isotherm data of P sorption by CF500 were fitted both Langmuir and Freundlich models, the kinetic data was better described by Pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters revealed the endothermic and spontaneous nature of the P sorption by CF500. The combination of CF500 and CS leveraged the merits of individual substrates while mitigated their demerits. The optimal mixing ratio of CF500 to CS was 1.25:1 by volume. The hybrid CF500–CS substrate HSSF–CWs demonstrated satisfactory P removal efficiency (99.44% ± 0.1) and effluent P concentration (0.08 ± 0.01 mg/L). Application of the mixed substrate in the HSSF–CWs resulted in negligible side effects on their effluent quality. Due to abundant availability of raw materials, simplicity of preparation, as well as efficiency and safety of application, a mixture of CF500 and CS is a promising hybrid substrate in HSSF–CWs for P–rich wastewater decontamination

Nông nghiệp ứng phó với biến đổi khí hậu - Tài liệu dùng cho cán bộ địa phương các cấp của Việt Nam

Climate smart agriculture concepts and principles must be simplified for local government officials and other technical officer to be able to operationalize key elements into local development programs in Vietnam. Climate smart agriculture needs to be simplified and often demystified in order to enhance its wider up take at regional and local levels. The brochure is written in Vietnamese for the benefit local partners and technical persons who speak and read Vietnamese language only

Biến đổi khí hậu và ảnh hưởng của biến đổi khí hậu tới nông nghiệp - Tài liệu dùng cho cán bộ địa phương các cấp của Việt Nam

Understanding the impacts of climate change on agriculture, associated landscapes and natural resources in general is crucial if local development efforts are to be tailored towards addressing the impacts of climate change. Simplification of scientific concepts can help local planners at different level to introduce and then mainstream strategies that have factored in the impacts from climate change. The brochure is written in Vietnamese for the benefit local partners and technical persons who speak and read Vietnamese language only

Respiratory viruses in individuals with a high frequency of animal exposure in southern and highland Vietnam

Active surveillance for zoonotic respiratory viruses is essential to inform the development of appropriate interventions and outbreak responses. Here we target individuals with a high frequency of animal exposure in Vietnam. Three‐year community‐based surveillance was conducted in Vietnam during 2013‐2016. We enrolled a total of 581 individuals (animal‐raising farmers, slaughterers, animal‐health workers, and rat traders), and utilized reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction to detect 15 common respiratory viruses in pooled nasal‐throat swabs collected at baseline or acute respiratory disease episodes. A respiratory virus was detected in 7.9% (58 of 732) of baseline samples, and 17.7% (136 of 770) of disease episode samples (P < .001), with enteroviruses (EVs), rhinoviruses and influenza A virus being the predominant viruses detected. There were temporal and spatial fluctuations in the frequencies of the detected viruses over the study period, for example, EVs and influenza A viruses were more often detected during rainy seasons. We reported the detection of common respiratory viruses in individuals with a high frequency of animal exposure in Vietnam, an emerging infectious disease hotspot. The results show the value of baseline/control sampling in delineating the causative relationships and have revealed important insights into the ecological aspects of EVs, rhinoviruses and influenza A and their contributions to the burden posed by respiratory infections in Vietnam