Infectious disease prevention and control work always requires accurate classification to build appropriate and timely response scenarios. The Disease Prevention Law No. 114/2025/QH15 passed by the National Assembly, has brought important updates, especially in Article 15 regarding the method of disease classification and systematizing epidemic levels associated with civil defense capacity. Mastering these new criteria is a mandatory requirement for medical staff to advise and implement effective disease prevention measures.

New infectious disease group classification system

According to the regulations in the 2025 Disease Prevention Law, infectious diseases continue to be divided into groups based on the degree of danger and spreadability, including:

• Group A: Includes especially dangerous infectious diseases with high mortality rates or extremely rapid spread capabilities.
• Group B: Focuses on dangerous infectious diseases capable of rapid spread and causing death.
• Group C: Includes less dangerous diseases, often with slow spread speeds.

A notable new point in this Law is the addition of the “Other Group” category following the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO). This adjustment creates necessary flexibility, helping the health sector proactively respond to emerging pathogens or variants that have never appeared in the traditional list. The Minister of Health will be the authority to prescribe identification criteria and decide the specific disease list for each of these groups.

Epidemic classification associated with civil defense capacity

The 2025 Disease Prevention Law has fundamentally changed the approach to epidemic classification by linking epidemic levels with “response capabilities and conditions”. Epidemics are divided into two basic states: the state within the response capability of the on-site force (commune level) and the state exceeding the response capability. This practical classification helps localities clearly determine the time needed for support from higher levels or mobilizing inter-sectoral forces.

When the epidemic falls into a state exceeding the local response capability, the system will activate levels of civil defense or state of emergency, specifically as follows:

• Civil defense level 1: Established when the epidemic at the commune level exceeds the handling capability of the on-site specialized force.
• Civil defense level 2: Corresponding to the epidemic scale in the provincial area exceeding the response capability of the commune level.
• Civil defense level 3: When the epidemic outbreaks on the scale of one or more provinces, cities, and exceeds the handling capacity of the provincial government.
• State of emergency: This is the highest level, declared according to separate regulations of the law on the state of emergency.

Criteria for termination, elimination, and eradication of infectious diseases

Besides classification for response, the Law also clearly stipulates criteria to recognize that an infectious disease has been terminated, eliminated, or eradicated. These criteria must ensure a scientific nature, consistent with recommendations of the World Health Organization or international treaties of which Vietnam is a member. The Government will be responsible for prescribing details on conditions, order, and procedures to recognize these states, marking the success of public health campaigns.

Conclusion

Understanding and updating Article 15 of the Disease Prevention Law No. 114/2025/QH15 helps medical staff clearly define priorities in preventive work and clinical practice. The new classification system not only helps standardize professional language but is also an important operating mechanism in coordination between the health sector and civil defense forces, ensuring national health security in all situations.

Bachelor Ho Ngoc Ha – Center for Support & Continuing Education