A. Canine Rabies :

Infection first observed in the Northern States of Malaya-Kedah, Kelantan and Perak in 1952 by infiltrating stray rabid dogs from Thailand via the Isthmus of Kra, mainly into the bordering huge rubber estates with large number of dogs kept by the laborers mainly Indian and Chinese. Immediate National Rabies Control Ordinance promulgation by which all pet dogs above eight weeks old were compulsorily vaccinated with the newly introduced chick embryo passaged freeze dried Flury's strain vaccine and all unvaccinated and stray dogs were destroyed by well trained dog shooting teams. By the middle of 1955 Malaya was pronounced Rabies free and accepted as such by the FAO/WHO and OlE. Once the country was free, strict quarantine laws were enforced by which imports of dogs, cats and related species were allowed only from accredited Rabies free countries. The import and use of Rabies vaccines for animal and human use totally banned by legislation from 1957

B. Bird Flu:

The viral form of Bird Flu in domestic chickens reared in battery cages for unfertilized egg production, broiler chicken for meat in wired pens and some in the Deep Litter system were seen in certain southern and eastern parts of Malaya which was confirmed by Laboratory examination. Immediate culling and burning of carcases with diesel were initiated with Senior staff supervision. An immune belt of nearly 20 miles were maintained with the nearest farms where pedestrians, food articles and water from the infected areas were completely prohibited in addition to movement of birds. No human cases were reported since aseptic and antiseptic measures were taken by all persons involved. The disease was brought under control and wiped out in two months.

Similar action was taken in the neighboring Colony of Sarawak where the infection was recorded in the tribal areas bordering Indonesian Borneo. The tribals were very co-operative in the culling operations and the disease was cleared in two months. No human cases were recorded although a very strict vigilance was maintained by the Medical and Health Department.

C. Psittacosis and Ornithosis :

Otherwise called the Parrot disease, Psittacosis caused by a filterable virus and communicable to human beings by droplet infection has been seen in many pet birds like Parrots, Pheasants, Peacocks, and pigeons, more so with the aviaries and big pet shops which were many and owned by the Chinese. The condition was also seen in wild birds. Infections usually introduced via smuggled birds from Indonesia, the Philippine islands, and Thailand. Strict regular examinations of all pet shops periodically by qualified Veterinary Staff and destruction of suspected birds controlled the infection. Also, very strict import and quarantine measures helped to keep Psittacosis at bay.

D. Q Fever:

An encephalitic febrile infection in domestic animals transmissible to human beings. The condition was seen in domestic animals like cattle, pigs and horses. The causative agent is reckettsial termed Coxiella burnetti. The affected animals were subjected to complimen fixation tests and those found positive were immediately destroyed and the contacts were kep under observation until pronounced free

E. Japanese B Encephalitis:

Caused by a variety of arbo virus the disease causes high incidence of encephalitic forms of infection in

horses, cattle, and swine and is transmitted to human beings via the mosquito Culex pipiens. The disease caused havoc in the Malay peninsula during the Japanese occupation and was effectively controlled by destroying all reactors to blood tests. A survey soon after World War II indicated that this virus induced encephalitis was wide spread in man in Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Malayan Peninsula, Indo China, and the Sumatran region of Borneo. While in service in Brunei I was very watchful to contain this disease since I had very valuable polo ponies belonging to the Royal Polo Club under my control.

F. Foot and Mouth Disease, Rinder Pest and Swine Fever

Caused by viruses inflict severe losses in cattle and pigs respectively. The diseases are wide spread in Asia [except Malaya, Sarawak and Brunei], Europe, the Argentine, and Africa [only foot and mouth disease]. Rinderpest otherwise called cattle plague is widespread in many parts of Asia and Africa causing severe losses. Some countries claim to have eradicated these diseases. So far, no curative treatments have been introduced. Protective vaccines are in the market but many adavanced countries do not use them but prefer to cull the infected animals and protect the healthy ones. Foot and Mouth and Rinderpest free countries have a complete ban on livestock imports from all countries except from those free from theses diseases. Even imports of livestock from healthy countries are subjected to 21 days strict quarantine.

Conclusion :

To the best of my knowledge and belief, four of the above diseases are transmissible to humans with severe fatalities unless aded on time whilst the last three cause severe economic losses to farmers with heavy mortality of animals. It is incumbent on the concerned authories, viz the Veterinary Division in close association with the Medical and Health Departments to contain and eradicate these diseases. Senior professional staff should systematically visit the affected areas and give viable directions rather than allowing the junior staff to manage things on their own. During the rabies outbreak in Malaya, the Director of Veterinary Services from Head Quarters often visited the control programmes which were handled by Senior Veterinary Staff. His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei personally visited the island ear marked to construct the quarantine station for livestock.

Haphazard and dubious methods of control would certainly allow the killer diseases to survive in a subtle manner.