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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
Kedah farm animals free to move ahead of Aidiladha, except Ulu Melaka
ALOR STAR: Farm animals can move freely across Kedah ahead of tomorrow's Aidiladha celebration, with only the Ulu Melaka area in Langkawi still under movement restrictions. The Ulu Melaka area remains a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control zone following an outbreak last month. Kedah Veterinary Services Department director, Dr Shaharul Amar Talib said: "At present, there are no movement restrictions on farm animals throughout Kedah, except in the Ulu Melaka area in Langkawi." However, the livestock movement ban in and out of Ulu Melaka, imposed on May 19, remains in place, he told NST. Dr Shaharul said livestock movement restriction was being enforced in the area to prevent the disease from spreading and to keep other animals safe. He urged farmers and animal suppliers to follow the rules, adding that if anyone needs to move animals in or out of that area, they must get official permission (a permit) first. Last month, the department restricted livestock movement in and out of Ulu Melaka following an outbreak of FMD, a highly contagious viral infection that affected 37 head of cattle. In preparation for the Aidiladha celebration, Dr Shaharul said the department has issued a total of 442 qurban (sacrificial livestock) movement permits. "We expect this number to keep rising as Hari Raya Qurban approaches. The department will continue to closely monitor livestock movements to ensure smooth operations and a sufficient supply of sacrificial animals throughout the state," he said.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Health
- New Straits Times
No Anthrax in Malaysia, but authorities heighten vigilance over Thai outbreak
ALOR STAR: Malaysia has tightened veterinary and biosecurity checks on live cattle imports from Thailand following an anthrax outbreak near the Thai-Laos border, ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha festivities. Anthrax is a rare but serious disease caused by bacteria, typically transmitted through contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated meat. It is not spread from person to person. Kedah Veterinary Services Department (DVS) director Dr Shaharul Akmar Talib said the outbreak occurred in Thailand's Mukdahan province, far from Malaysia, but precautionary measures have nonetheless been taken. "Surveillance has been stepped up at ICQS (Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security) complexes. States have been alerted to remain vigilant, and at the federal level, the department is coordinating with Thai authorities," he told the New Straits Times today. Shaharul assured that Malaysia has not recorded any anthrax cases for over 50 years. "The last case occurred in 1968. If any cases were to emerge, they would be quarantined immediately," he said. He said that Malaysia does not import raw meat from Thailand, but live cattle are brought in for slaughter. "These animals are quarantined at designated centres in Kedah, Perlis, and Kelantan. All imports are screened by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis), which issues permits and enforces biosecurity protocols. "Officers from Maqis and the department work jointly at entry points such as Bukit Kayu Hitam," he added. He said that no import ban has been imposed for now, but an inter-agency meeting is expected to take place soon to review the situation. Yesterday, it was reported that Thailand had confirmed two anthrax cases, including one death. The victim, a 53-year-old man from Mukdahan, is believed to have handled or consumed contaminated meat. Thai authorities are tracing over 600 people potentially exposed to the disease, including 36 individuals involved in livestock slaughtering. Keywords: News Malaysia Nst 1968 Veterinary Services Department Anthrax Thailand. No Case Malaysia News Live Cattle Related Articles ASEAN May 2, 2025 @ 4:30am Thailand reports first anthrax death, hundreds potentially exposed World Apr 8, 2025 @ 7:56am Anthrax kills 50 hippos in Congo's Virunga National Park Nation Mar 17, 2025 @ 12:09pm Crocodile sightings prompt heightened vigilance in Kota Kinabalu Crime & Courts Nov 3, 2024 @ 9:39am Thai authorities to charge 6 Malaysians in drug case
