THE letter by S.P. of Kuala Lumpur (”Be on alert at all times” — NST, Nov 6) on the Nipah virus has raised a pertinent question about the important role the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) can play in being prepared and vigilant for any disease outbreaks.

Certain deadly infectious/contagious diseases affecting humans are classified as zoonotic diseases, i.e. diseases transmissible from animals to man.

In the 1998/1999 Nipah virus outbreak that killed more than 100 people, pig farm workers were infected by droplets from infected coughing pigs.

Japanese encephalitis (JE) is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes that source their virus supply from pigs that act as a reservoir for the growth and multiplication of the JE virus.

Rabies is spread to man by the bite of infected dogs. Avian influenza is spread to humans by infected poultry. Anthrax is spread from infected sheep and cattle to humans. Mad cow disease, rinderpest, bovine tuberculosis — the list of zoonotic diseases goes on.

The most logical way of preventing such deadly diseases from spreading to humans is to tackle them at their source — by controlling and eradicating such diseases from domestic animals.

Cooperation between the Health Ministry and the DVS is vital in controlling and eradicating such diseases.

The DVS with its veterinary research and diagnostic laboratories, abattoirs, quarantine stations manned by professionally qualified officers and research staff and trained supporting staff has the necessary experience and expertise to effectively handle zoonotic diseases in animals.

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the Health Ministry would greatly benefit from the cooperation of the DVS in the effort to prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading to humans.

G.D., Kuala Lumpur

Source: NST – November 14, 2008