Top-ranking officials of the World Health Organisation (WHO) have voiced fears that Avian or bird flu could develop into a deadly pandemic worldwide. The Western-Pacific director of WHO has stated that the root causes of this disease must be addressed if there is to be any impact.

There is an urgent need to look into, and initiate, a major revamp of the whole system of animal-rearing and handling. The problems with diseases of this nature are not going to end. Transfer of diseases from animals to humans are a major concern, not only when we look at avian flu, but at others such as Sars, BSE or 'mad cow' disease, the Nipah virus infections and so on.

Diseases of this nature can be viewed as 'new' diseases and we should seriously look at present-day modern-type of agriculture as being the cause. Farming methods currently employed are most unnatural and unhygienic.

The emphasis seems to be more on generating profits in the shortest time possible. However, the economic devastation following diseases such as avian flu, will end up negating whatever short-term gains made by this industry.

The whole business of animal rearing has to be questioned. Animals are handled and treated in an unacceptable manner. For many, their whole lives, from birth to death, are spent confined in cramped and filthy surroundings. Livestock do not get exercise or fresh air. Diseases can so easily spread in an environment where animals are in such close contact with each other.

The animals' growth is also speeded up using various unnatural chemicals that include hormones and low doses of antibiotics. These animals become resistant to antibiotics, which becomes critical when these antibiotics are needed to fight an infection.

Humans, in turn, can acquire a cross-over resistance to these same or similar antibiotics. We are creating our own problems through these so-called scientific methods. It is a doomsday phenomenon.

Taking the case of avian flu, this disease is spread through bird droppings. During CAP surveys, we found that samples of chicken meat being sold in the markets were contaminated with the bacteria E.coli. This bacteria is commonly found in the intestines and droppings of the animals.

The methods by which chickens are slaughtered and handled have been found to be deplorable in many instances. There appears to be no hygiene system in place to ensure that the meat that is sold to the public is free from contamination and fecal bacteria. What is there to guarantee that a person purchasing poultry for home consumption cannot be infected?

The World Health Organisation and national governments must examine the so-called scientific methods that are being used in animal rearing, including animal husbandry, etc. We need to make a major shift from the present-day method of raising animals back to normal, more natural methods of farming.

If, in spite of the ever-present risks of contracting disease from animals, there is no major revamp to address the situation, it may be necessary for people to seriously consider switching permanently to the consumption of more plant food (vegetables, legumes, fruits) and fish, and avoid animal flesh altogether.


The writer is the president of the Consumers Association of Penang.