FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Dr Lily Neo asked the Minister for National Development whether there is any danger of the foot and mouth disease spreading to Singapore from Malaysia in view of the recent outbreak of the virus in Negri Sembilan.

Mr Lim Hng Kiang: The foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a serious viral disease affecting cloven hoof animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. However, FMD does not affect humans and is, therefore, not a health risk to the general public. I would like to clarify that the Foot and Mouth Disease is totally unrelated to the human disease called Hand-Foot-and-Mouth disease.

We have managed to keep Singapore free from FMD over the years even though it is endemic in the region. To maintain Singapore's FMD free status, the Primary Production Department (PPD) allows cloven hoof animals to be imported from FMD free sources only. As for Malaysia, PPD only allows imports from accredited farms in the FMD free areas. Upon arrival in Singapore, the animal consignments are inspected for signs of disease. In addition, animals, such as dairy cattle, brought in from FMD free countries for breeding and production are required to go through at least 30 days of on-farm quarantine in a specified isolated area.

Singapore is free from FMD. I see no reason why we cannot maintain this position.

The current ban on the import of pigs, cattle, horses, dogs, cats and other mammals from Malaysia imposed by PPD since 19th March 1999 for the pig problem will also be effective against the spread of foot and mouth disease to the animals here.