By Olivia Miwil
Pictures by Mohd Adam Arinin
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has started to ban the import of pets particularly dogs and cats from peninsular Malaysia since September last year following rabies outbreak in the northern states.
State veterinary services and animal industry director Dr Yeo Boon Kiat said the state had been strict in importing animals and food products to retain its disease-free status.
“The moves come into force in September last year when the state passed the Animal Enactment 2015 to better protect Sabah from zoonotic diseases while encouraging the industry to become more competitive.
“However, pets from disease-free countries which are allowed to enter the state will have to be quarantined for three months,” he said during a press conference after a two-day seminar themed “Zoonotic disease: hidden threat” here yesterday.
He added the state also made it compulsory for exporters, even from Sarawak, to apply for licenses to bring over their products to Sabah.
Meanwhile, he added the new Animal Welfare Enactment 2015 which also passed at the same time would become effective by July.
“Business selling pets and animals food, grooming centres, zoos or anyone hosting animal shows will have to get permits from the ministry (of Agriculture and Food industries).”
Earlier, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Edward Yong Oui Fah said Sabah recorded 555 leptospirosis cases with three death since last year.
“Besides catching rats, City Hall will also meet with non-governmental organisations and restaurant operators in managing food waste.
“The local government will also work together with state health department to ensure cleanliness of the food served during Ramadhan bazaars.”
The seminar included talks about Japanese Encephalitis and Leptospirosis, as well as six case studies in Sabah from health, wildlife, veterinary services and other departments.
Present was Sabah Health director Dr Christina Rundi.
notes:
(Notes) Zoonotic diseases in Malaysia
Nipah virus
Became significant in Malaysia in 1998, whereby 283 cases reported with 105 death.
Avian Influenza
· H5N1
There are 850 cases with 449 deaths between 2003 until April 4, 2016.
Most cases are reported in Indonesia, Egypt, Vietnam, Cambodia and China.
· H7N9
First case reported in China in 2012.
Up until April 15, 2016, 779 cases with 300 deaths in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Canada and Malaysia
A China tourist was tested positive when she visited Sabah, Malaysia in 2014.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS CoV)
First time reported in human in February 2012 in Saudi Arabia.
In June 2014, the transmission used to be from camel to human according to New England journal.
Now it has been reported that the virus can be transmitted from human to human.
Up until April 26, 2016, there are 1,728 MeRS CoV with 624 deaths.
Malaysia has reported 1 case in April 2014, whereby the patient was just came back from pilgrimage at holy land.
Korea Selatan received its first case in May 2015, and spread up to 186 cases.
Leptospirosis
In 2015, 8,291 cases and 78 deaths reported throughout Malaysia.
Japanese Encephalitis
In 2014, about 10 cases with 4 deaths. Clinically, the mortality rate in Sabah is as high as 40 per cent. The move to implement vaccination against JE in Sabah is put on hold as the incidence of JE in Sabah is sporadic.
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