Singapore has been free from rabies since 1953 but as the disease is endemic in the region, it is critical to maintain vigilance against rabies. Rabies is a fatal viral disease, which can be transmitted to man by the bite of a rabid animal. The OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) reports more than 60,000 deaths from rabies annually due to exposure to infected animals.

 

2          The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has measures in place, such as stringent requirements for the import of animals (e.g. pre-export vaccinations and tests, as well as post arrival checks and quarantines), to keep rabies at bay. AVA has also recently conducted its first emergency preparedness exercise to test operational readiness to respond to a rabies outbreak on 9 September 2014. The exercise was in conjunction with World Rabies Day (28 September).

 

3          Code-named “Exercise Lyssa I”, the table top exercise tested several aspects of AVA’s operational readiness, such as operational feasibility of rabies control policies and rabies operations support plans. As part of the exercise, AVA tested the Alert-Recall-Mobilise System – a mass alert IT system which allows AVA to quickly communicate information to specific groups of stakeholders (e.g. licensed dog owners, vet clinics, etc) via email, SMS and automated calls.

 

4          In addition, AVA also tested the activation and delivery of 5,000 doses of animal rabies vaccines from the OIE Regional Vaccine Bank for Rabies in Asia. The vaccines arrived in Singapore on 17 September and would serve as our local stockpile. Should there be a rabies outbreak in Singapore; an additional 345,000 doses of animal rabies vaccine from the vaccine bank are available for rapid deployment to Singapore.

 

5          The key objectives of Ex Lyssa I were met and through the table top exercise, we were able to identify areas for strengthening our rabies contingency plan.
 

 

 5,000 doses of animal rabies vaccines arriving at AVA’s Changi Animal & Plant Quarantine Station on 17 September 2014.
Photo source: AVA 

 

Working together to safeguard our borders

6          Besides stringent import controls, AVA also works closely with border control agencies, such as Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA), to safeguard Singapore from illegal imports of animals.



Public advisory against illegal imports

7          The ICA and AVA would like to remind travellers against bringing live animals, birds and insects into Singapore without a proper permit. Animals that are smuggled into Singapore are of unknown health status and may introduce zoonotic diseases, such as rabies, into the country.

8          Our borders are our first line of defence in safeguarding Singapore's security. The security checks are critical to our nation’s security.  We will continue to conduct security checks on passengers and vehicles at the checkpoints to prevent attempts to smuggle in undesirable persons, drugs, weapons, explosives and other contrabands. In view of the potential danger of introducing infectious animal diseases into Singapore, we would like to advise the public against the smuggling of animals, animal products, meat and meat products into Singapore.

AGRI-FOOD & VETERINARY AUTHORITY
IMMIGRATION & CHECKPOINTS AUTHORITY

18 September 2014