A Short Brief From The Editor

A Short Note From Our Patron

Chairman's Note

Towards A Responsible Pet Ownership

Johore Animal Welfare Week

Cat Festival

Seminar on Nipah Virus

The Nipah Virus

Notice of 2nd AGM

The Nipah Virus

Malaysia had been the focus of attention in March 1999 when we had to undertake a major pig culling exercise to check the spread of Nipah virus infection in humans. This was the most painful decision that had to be taken in the most trying times. I feel that I have to explain to the members of the Foundation on the events that led to the course of the actions taken. The pigs were clearly implicated when the pig farmers and workers in pig farms, abattoirs and transport of pigs become victims. As the death toll increased, market demand for pork dropped and farmers began to abandon their farms and pigs. The initial killing of pigs was done by the farmers themselves in anger on pigs which were illegally moved. The method of killing was vey crude and cruel, using wooden bludgeon sticks. This incidence was photographed by the press and was circulated in the world media, before the authorities could intervene and control the situation.

That unfortunate case put Malaysia in a very bad light in the eyes of the world as indicated by the response letters that were received directly or through Malaysian Embassies abroad.

As farms were abandoned for action of the government authorities, decision had to be made to destroy pigs where infection in humans had occurred, both to prevent pigs sufferingfrom starvation and lingering death, as well as, stopping more people getting infected. In the meantime, the Malaysian Government created a task force which ordered the removal of the infected foci with a clear buffer area surrounding these foci.

The effect of that order has caused 900,000 pigs in the affected areas to be culled in the first phase of the control programme. Through the Task Force, multi-agency working teams were created including members of the armed forces. The urgency of the action necessitated the pigs to be shot and buried in situ. The people who had been entrusted with the task were not experienced in handling of the animals even though they tried their best. The farmers were brought into the exercise to help out in the culling process for a fee. This action helped to facilitate the destruction process in the later part of the programme.

We are aware that many of our members have been equally affected by the media publicity of the destruction of the innocent pigs. In such a situation, there is very little choice as human lives are threatened and many deaths have occurred. The only recourse is to remove the source of the infection, which in this case are the infected pigs. We would like to indicate that the destruction had been done as humanely as possible. The results are seen through the drop in human cases and we hope that the outbreak has ended.

We would like to inform that a number of cats and dogs in the infected areas have been tested positive for Nipah virus on serology. Other animals are also being sampled for tests although the results are yet to be obtained to indicate possible implications. While there is a decision to remove cats and dogs from farms which have been tested positive, we would like our members not to be worried about their pets in areas not associated with infected pig farms.

The Second Phase of the control programme will involve testing of all pig farms to ensure that the Nipah virus will be removed from the pig industry. However, investigations on the possible source of the virus as well as lateral infections in many species will continue. Testing capabilities are being developed at Veterinary Research Institute to cover species other than pigs in the follow-up monitoring programme for longer term.

This experience on large scale destruction of animals brought out the need to develop humane, less painful methods for such purposes. Under the Foundation, we will have to study and establish methods that could be utilised by the authorities. There have been many good suggestions made that require testing and study on the practicality of application. We certainly hope similar episodes need not be repeated in the future.

Dato' Dr. Mohd Nordin bin Mohd Nor

Chairman, MNAWF