DETECTION OF NIPAH VIRUS IN SHEEP AND DOGS (Steps to monitor development)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Gerard Ee -

Mr Gerard Ee: To ask the Minister for National Development in view of the press and radio reports that the Nipah virus has been detected in sheep and dogs, what steps are being taken by his Ministry to monitor this new development.

Mr Chuang Shaw Peng (Nominated Member): Question No. 2, Sir.

The Minister for National Development (Mr Lim Hng Kiang): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Nipah virus, or formerly known as the Hendra-like virus, is a newly discovered virus. Currently, little is known about the new Nipah virus. Experts from the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, and the Australian Animal Health Laboratories are still investigating the cases in Malaysia and carrying out more studies on the nature and epidemiology of the Nipah virus.

Although there have been recent reports of Nipah virus infection in dogs and goats in Malaysia, there is no risk of the spread of the Nipah virus to Singapore via animal hosts. This is because PPD has imposed a ban on the import of all mammals, including goats and dogs, from Malaysia since 19th March 1999. The control measures taken by PPD are still in place today. PPD will not lift this ban until it is confident that the import of animals will not pose a danger to public health. PPD and the Customs Department have also stepped up surveillance to prevent smuggling of meat and animals into Singapore.

In addition, PPD is also monitoring closely the situation and developments in Malaysia, especially the recent occurrence of the Nipah virus in Johor. It maintains close contact with the American and Australian experts and the Malaysian veterinary authorities so that it is kept updated of the latest findings and developments promptly. PPD will respond swiftly if the studies or developments suggest that other additional precautions are necessary in future.

The current ban on pig imports from Malaysia remains and we will resume imports from Johor only when the area can be declared to be a disease-free zone according to international standards.