Task Force Formed To Prevent Zoonotic Diseases

Bandar Seri Begawan – Brunei has put all its efforts to protect humans from getting infected with animal diseases better known as ‘Zoonotic Diseases’.

The establishment of the national task force concerning the zoonotic diseases is a preparatory step to prevent new infectious diseases such as 'nipah virus', mad cow and influenza, including the avian flu that is currently affected several countries in Asia.

Datu Awang Haji Zainal Bin Awang Haji Momin, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, said this at the task force meeting yesterday.

The meeting was co-chaired by Dato Awang Haji Idris bin Awang Haji Belaman, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources.

Dato Awang Haji Zainal went on to say that the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources have taken various appropriate steps to prevent the spread of the disease in the country.

This task force, he said, was to handle infectious diseases among animals that can be transmitted to humans which is known as zoonotic diseases.

Zoonotic is described as a disease or infection that spread to human by vertebrate animals.

Speaking to the media, Dato Awang Haji Zainal, co-chairman of the task force meeting, said one of the main tasks is to provide action plans for surveillance and monitoring infectious zoonotic diseases that threaten public health.

Dato Awang Haji Idiris also said that monitoring will also cover the aspect of birds import from other countries. -- Courtesy of Radio Television Brunei 

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