More cooperation needed to fight bird flu

V.K. Chin, The Star, Asia News Network/Selangor

Health experts have been warning the world for months that a bird flu pandemic is coming. As far as they are concerned, it is only a case of when, not if.

In fact, all governments are preparing for this event in which millions could be killed if their prediction should come true.

Malaysia, like its neighbours, is taking this matter very seriously.

We therefore ignore such authoritative health advice at our own risk.

With the experience of both SARS and Nipah outbreaks, the health ministry is doing its best to lessen the bird flu attack should it occur here.

Deaths had already been reported in neighbouring countries from the latest outbreak and all the government ministries and departments involved are keeping a close watch on the situation.

As in all such emergency situations, public cooperation and involvement are essential as there is only so much that the government can do to deal with a major calamity.

The government's preparedness is confined to ensuring that should there be a bird flu outbreak there is sufficient support services to look after those affected, such as having enough injections and other medications to prevent the spread of the disease.

But the public can reduce the spread of bird flu by taking all the necessary precautions.

For example, all poultry farmers must inform the relevant authorities if they should suspect that their birds are affected.

In this way, it will be possible for the veterinary department officials to do a proper verification of the situation.

One reason breeders are reluctant to come forward is that their birds may be culled and they will suffer losses.

This fear can be taken care of with the promise of compensation for the number of birds culled.

This assurance is vital to ensure the cooperation of the breeders, who should not suffer financial losses because of the outbreak.

Tens of millions may be required for this purpose but it will be worth it if the problem can be nipped in the bud as this is the surest way of containing the disease.

At the same time, people must follow the instructions and guidelines issued by the ministry to the letter to minimise the impact of an outbreak and reduce the number of people suffering from it.

The SARS experience has shown the ministry's capability of dealing with such a dangerous situation and it should not be found wanting if it should face another outbreak in future.