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The resistance of meat chickens vaccinated by aerosol with a live V4 Newcastle disease virus vaccine in the field to challenge with a velogenic Newcastle disease virus

Bell IG, Nicholls PJ, Norman C, Ideris A, Cross GM

Aust Vet J, 1991 Mar;68(3):97-101.
PMID: 2043098

Meat chickens housed on a commercial broiler farm in Australia were vaccinated once at 10 to 11 days-of-age by aerosol with live V4 Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine. Groups of vaccinated and unvaccinated birds were flown to Malaysia, where they were challenged with a virulent strain of NDV. Survival rates in vaccinated chickens challenged 7, 14, 21 or 31 d after vaccination were 0.47, 0.77, 0.97 and 0.92, respectively. All unvaccinated chickens died due to Newcastle disease (ND) following challenge. Chickens in Australia and Malaysia were bled and the serums tested for haemagglutination-inhibiting (HI) antibody to NDV. Many vaccinated birds with no detectable antibody, and all birds with a log2 titre of 2 or greater, survived challenge. The results showed that this V4 vaccine induced protective immunity in a significant proportion of chickens within 7 d of mass aerosol vaccination. This early immunity occurred in the absence of detectable circulating HI antibody. Non-HI antibody mediated immunity continued to provide protection up to 31 d after vaccination. Almost all vaccinated birds were protected within 3 w of vaccination. It is concluded that the V4 vaccine is efficacious and could be useful during an outbreak of virulent ND in Australia.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Animal health emergencies: prevention and preparedness in Asia

Hashim HD

Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot., 1999 Apr;18(1):47-51.
PMID: 10190203

Besides response and recovery, prevention and preparedness are the two critical components of any contingency plan. The author discusses the various elements which must be present in the prevention and preparedness plan of countries in Asia. As the continent has such diverse peoples and veterinary infrastructures, the actual plan may vary from one country to another, but must incorporate those elements which are crucial to ensure the success of the preparedness plan.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Fulltext A novel data-driven methodology for influenza outbreak detection and prediction

Du L, Pang Y

Sci Rep, 2021 06 24;11(1):13275.
PMID: 34168200 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92484-6

Influenza is an infectious disease that leads to an estimated 5 million cases of severe illness and 650,000 respiratory deaths worldwide each year. The early detection and prediction of influenza outbreaks are crucial for efficient resource planning to save patient's lives and healthcare costs. We propose a new data-driven methodology for influenza outbreak detection and prediction at very local levels. A doctor's diagnostic dataset of influenza-like illness from more than 3000 clinics in Malaysia is used in this study because these diagnostic data are reliable and can be captured promptly. A new region index (RI) of the influenza outbreak is proposed based on the diagnostic dataset. By analysing the anomalies in the weekly RI value, potential outbreaks are identified using statistical methods. An ensemble learning method is developed to predict potential influenza outbreaks. Cross-validation is conducted to optimize the hyperparameters of the ensemble model. A testing data set is used to provide an unbiased evaluation of the model. The proposed methodology is shown to be sensitive and accurate at influenza outbreak prediction, with average of 75% recall, 74% precision, and 83% accuracy scores across five regions in Malaysia. The results are also validated by Google Flu Trends data, news reports, and surveillance data released by World Health Organization.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Fulltext Implementation of a COVID-19 surveillance programme for healthcare workers in a teaching hospital in an upper-middle-income country

Wan KS, Tok PSK, Yoga Ratnam KK, Aziz N, Isahak M, Ahmad Zaki R, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0249394.
PMID: 33852588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249394

INTRODUCTION: The reporting of Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) mortality among healthcare workers highlights their vulnerability in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Some low- and middle-income countries have highlighted the challenges with COVID-19 testing, such as inadequate capacity, untrained laboratory personnel, and inadequate funding. This article describes the components and implementation of a healthcare worker surveillance programme in a designated COVID-19 teaching hospital in Malaysia. In addition, the distribution and characteristics of healthcare workers placed under surveillance are described.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A COVID-19 healthcare worker surveillance programme was implemented in University Malaya Medical Centre. The programme involved four teams: contact tracing, risk assessment, surveillance and outbreak investigation. Daily symptom surveillance was conducted over fourteen days for healthcare workers who were assessed to have low-, moderate- and high-risk of contracting COVID-19. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted for data collected over 24 weeks, from the 6th of March 2020 to the 20th of August 2020.
RESULTS: A total of 1,174 healthcare workers were placed under surveillance. The majority were females (71.6%), aged between 25 and 34 years old (64.7%), were nursing staff (46.9%) and had no comorbidities (88.8%). A total of 70.9% were categorised as low-risk, 25.7% were moderate-risk, and 3.4% were at high risk of contracting COVID-19. One-third (35.2%) were symptomatic, with the sore throat (23.6%), cough (19.8%) and fever (5.0%) being the most commonly reported symptoms. A total of 17 healthcare workers tested positive for COVID-19, with a prevalence of 0.3% among all the healthcare workers. Risk category and presence of symptoms were associated with a positive COVID-19 test (p<0.001). Fever (p<0.001), cough (p = 0.003), shortness of breath (p = 0.015) and sore throat (p = 0.002) were associated with case positivity.
CONCLUSION: COVID-19 symptom surveillance and risk-based assessment have merits to be included in a healthcare worker surveillance programme to safeguard the health of the workforce.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Infectious diseases following natural disasters: prevention and control measures

Kouadio IK, Aljunid S, Kamigaki T, Hammad K, Oshitani H

Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther, 2012 Jan;10(1):95-104.
PMID: 22149618 DOI: 10.1586/eri.11.155

Natural disasters may lead to infectious disease outbreaks when they result in substantial population displacement and exacerbate synergic risk factors (change in the environment, in human conditions and in the vulnerability to existing pathogens) for disease transmission. We reviewed risk factors and potential infectious diseases resulting from prolonged secondary effects of major natural disasters that occurred from 2000 to 2011. Natural disasters including floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, tropical cyclones (e.g., hurricanes and typhoons) and tornadoes have been secondarily described with the following infectious diseases including diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, malaria, leptospirosis, measles, dengue fever, viral hepatitis, typhoid fever, meningitis, as well as tetanus and cutaneous mucormycosis. Risk assessment is essential in post-disaster situations and the rapid implementation of control measures through re-establishment and improvement of primary healthcare delivery should be given high priority, especially in the absence of pre-disaster surveillance data.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Fulltext Management of accidental laboratory exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei and B. mallei

Peacock SJ, Schweizer HP, Dance DA, Smith TL, Gee JE, Wuthiekanun V, et al.

Emerg Infect Dis, 2008 Jul;14(7):e2.
PMID: 18598617 DOI: 10.3201/eid1407.071501

The gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei is a saprophyte and the cause of melioidosis. Natural infection is most commonly reported in northeast Thailand and northern Australia but also occurs in other parts of Asia, South America, and the Caribbean. Melioidosis develops after bacterial inoculation or inhalation, often in relation to occupational exposure in areas where the disease is endemic. Clinical infection has a peak incidence between the fourth and fifth decades; with diabetes mellitus, excess alcohol consumption, chronic renal failure, and chronic lung disease acting as independent risk factors. Most affected adults ( approximately 80%) in northeast Thailand, northern Australia, and Malaysia have >/=1 underlying diseases. Symptoms of melioidosis may be exhibited many years after exposure, commonly in association with an alteration in immune status. Manifestations of disease are extremely broad ranging and form a spectrum from rapidly life-threatening sepsis to chronic low-grade infection. A common clinical picture is that of sepsis associated with bacterial dissemination to distant sites, frequently causing concomitant pneumonia and liver and splenic abscesses. Infection may also occur in bone, joints, skin, soft tissue, or the prostate. The clinical symptoms of melioidosis mimic those of many other diseases; thus, differentiating between melioidosis and other acute and chronic bacterial infections, including tuberculosis, is often impossible. Confirmation of the diagnosis relies on good practices for specimen collection, laboratory culture, and isolation of B. pseudomallei. The overall mortality rate of infected persons is 50% in northeast Thailand (35% in children) and 19% in Australia.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Southeast Asia

Eagles D, Siregar ES, Dung DH, Weaver J, Wong F, Daniels P

Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot., 2009 Apr;28(1):341-8.
PMID: 19618637

Since the first H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) infection in the region in August 2003, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have all recorded outbreaks of the disease. The HPAIV continues to occur in some countries in Southeast Asia despite control programmes encompassing surveillance, vaccination and stamping out strategies. A number of strains have been circulating in the region since the first outbreaks in 2003, and although the source of the initial outbreaks in domestic poultry is not known, the continuing propagation of disease in the region is primarily the result of the movement of domestic poultry and poultry products, and people. A comprehensive approach using all the strategies available to break the chain of transmission of the virus in poultry will be needed to achieve lasting disease control.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Fulltext Pandemic threat of avian influenza

Chua KB

Med J Malaysia, 2005 Oct;60(4):401-3.
PMID: 16570698
Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Social, behavioural and environmental factors and their impact on infectious disease outbreaks

Heymann DL

J Public Health Policy, 2005 Apr;26(1):133-9.
PMID: 15906882

The microbes that cause infectious diseases are complex, dynamic, and constantly evolving. They reproduce rapidly, mutate frequently, breach species barriers, adapt with relative ease to new hosts and new environments, and develop resistance to the drugs used to treat them. In their article "Meeting the challenge of epidemic infectious diseases outbreaks: an agenda for research", Kai-Lit Phua and Lai Kah Lee clearly demonstrate how social, behavioural and environmental factors, linked to a host of human activities, have accelerated and amplified these natural phenomena. By reviewing published and non-published information about outbreaks of Nipah virus in Malaysia, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and avian influenza in Asia, and the HIV pandemic, they provide a series of examples that demonstrate the various social, behavioural and environmental factors of these recent infectious disease outbreaks. They then analyse some of these same determinants in important historical epidemics and pandemics such as plague in medieval Europe, and conclude that it is important to better understand the social conditions that facilitate the appearance of diseases outbreaks in order to determine why and how societies react to outbreaks and their impact on different population groups.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Fulltext Hepatitis A outbreak in Hulu Langat District, Selangor State, Malaysia during April--October 2002

Venugopalan B, Nik Rubiah NAR, Meftahuddin T, Ayu M, Prema R, Ruhaini I, et al.

Med J Malaysia, 2004 Dec;59(5):670-3.
PMID: 15889571

A Hepatitis A outbreak occurred in Mukim Hulu Langat, Hulu Langat district from April 2002 to October 2002. Of the 51 cases notified, most were among students and the ethnic groups involved were Malays and the Orang Asli (local indigenous community). Epidemiological investigations revealed that the cases were localized along rivers used for recreational activities in this area. River water analysis indicated human faecal contamination and it was believed that the contamination was due to the Orang Asli community living upstream. This occurred due to lack of toilet facilities, water at point of use and the existing traditional practices of the Orang Asli community. Control measures instituted were intense health education to the Orang Asli to avoid using the rivers for defecation, multi agency efforts to provide sanitary toilets and adequate water to the villages affected. Future measures include conducting a sero- prevalence survey to determine the feasibility of Hepatitis A immunization to the susceptible population in this area. The outbreak that began in April 2002 was controlled by October 2002.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Strategy for the control of foot-and-mouth disease in Southeast Asia (SEAFMD)

Edwards JR

Dev Biol (Basel), 2004;119:423-31.
PMID: 15742655

The OIE Southeast Asia Foot-and-Mouth Disease Campaign (SEAFMD) involves the coordinated control of foot-and-mouth disease by eight of the ASEAN countries. A long term vision for SEAFMD has been developed and the core element is a progressive zoning approach to the control and eradication of FMD in the region. This paper describes the current status of FMD in Southeast Asia and progress towards achievement of OIE free zone status for FMD in parts of the Philippines and Malaysia and the initiation of the Malaysia-Thailand-Myanmar (MTM) Peninsular Campaign for FMD Freedom. In mainland Southeast Asia, the progressive zoning approach involves several sub-regional groups working in parallel to oversee the epidemiological and economic studies required to determine the feasibility of the approach. Areas involved include the Lower Mekong Basin, Upper Mekong Basin, parts of Myanmar and the Red River Delta of Vietnam. The paper describes the current usage of vaccines for FMD in Southeast Asia and provides recommendations for their supply and use in the new regional initiatives.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
An avian-only Filippov model incorporating culling of both susceptible and infected birds in combating avian influenza

Chong NS, Dionne B, Smith R

J Math Biol, 2016 09;73(3):751-84.
PMID: 26865385 DOI: 10.1007/s00285-016-0971-y

Depopulation of birds has always been an effective method not only to control the transmission of avian influenza in bird populations but also to eliminate influenza viruses. We introduce a Filippov avian-only model with culling of susceptible and/or infected birds. For each susceptible threshold level [Formula: see text], we derive the phase portrait for the dynamical system as we vary the infected threshold level [Formula: see text], focusing on the existence of endemic states; the endemic states are represented by real equilibria, pseudoequilibria and pseudo-attractors. We show generically that all solutions of this model will approach one of the endemic states. Our results suggest that the spread of avian influenza in bird populations is tolerable if the trajectories converge to the equilibrium point that lies in the region below the threshold level [Formula: see text] or if they converge to one of the pseudoequilibria or a pseudo-attractor on the surface of discontinuity. However, we have to cull birds whenever the solution of this model converges to an equilibrium point that lies in the region above the threshold level [Formula: see text] in order to control the outbreak. Hence a good threshold policy is required to combat bird flu successfully and to prevent overkilling birds.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Rabies epidemiology in Malaysia (2015-2023): A cross-sectional insights and strategies for control

Wada YA, Mazlan M, Noordin MM, Mohd-Lila MA, Fong LS, Ramanoon SZ, et al.

Vaccine, 2024 Dec 02;42(26):126371.
PMID: 39288577 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126371

BACKGROUND: Malaysia currently faces significant challenges in controlling the spread of dog-mediated human rabies, as evidenced by recurrent outbreaks in newly affected areas and increasing human fatalities.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyse surveillance data from 2015 to 2023 to examine the epidemiological characteristics of rabies in Malaysia. Data from multiple sources were used, and descriptive statistics, incidence rates, and reproductive numbers were calculated. QGIS software was used to map the distribution of rabies cases, and statistical methods were employed to evaluate associations between rabies incidence, vaccination coverage, and risk factors. We further explored the effectiveness of vaccination campaigns and public health interventions in reducing rabies transmission.
RESULTS: Our findings revealed 995 confirmed rabies cases in animals. Sarawak reported the highest proportion of rabies cases at 97.99 %, showing a significant correlation between location and rabies cases (p control strategies in Malaysia.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Fulltext Outbreak of vaccine-preventable diseases in Muslim majority countries

Ahmed A, Lee KS, Bukhsh A, Al-Worafi YM, Sarker MMR, Ming LC, et al.

J Infect Public Health, 2017 10 04;11(2):153-155.
PMID: 28988775 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.09.007

The increase in Muslim parents' refusal and hesitancy to accept childhood vaccination was identified as one of the contributing factors in the increase of vaccine-preventable diseases cases in countries such as Afghanistan, Malaysia and Pakistan. The spread of inaccurate and irresponsible information by the anti-vaccination movement may inflict more harm than good on Muslim communities. To curb this issue, health authorities in Pakistan and Malaysia have resorted to imposing strict punishments on parents who refuse to allow their children to be vaccinated. Information addressing religious concerns such as the halal issue must be made priority and communicated well to the general public, encouraging not only the acceptance of vaccinations but motivating communities to play an active role in promoting vaccination. Local government of the affected region need to work towards creating awareness among Muslim parents that vaccinations are a preventative public health strategy that has been practised and acknowledged by many doctors of all faiths.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Fulltext Nipah virus: A review on epidemiological characteristics and outbreaks to inform public health decision making

Ambat AS, Zubair SM, Prasad N, Pundir P, Rajwar E, Patil DS, et al.

J Infect Public Health, 2019 02 23;12(5):634-639.
PMID: 30808593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2019.02.013

The objectives of this review were to understand the epidemiology and outbreak of NiV infection and to discuss the preventive and control measures across different regions. We searched PubMed and Scopus for relevant articles from January 1999 to July 2018 and identified 927 articles which were screened for titles, abstracts and full texts by two review authors independently. The screening process resulted in 44 articles which were used to extract relevant information. Information on epidemiology of NiV, outbreaks in Malaysia, Singapore, Bangladesh, India and Philippines, including diagnosis, prevention, treatment, vaccines, control, surveillance and economic burden due to NiV were discussed. Interdisciplinary and multi sectoral approach is vital in preventing the emergence of NiV. It is necessary to undertake rigorous research for developing vaccines and medicines to prevent and treat NiV.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
Fulltext Public perception and attitude towards dengue prevention activity and response to dengue early warning in Malaysia

Zaki R, Roffeei SN, Hii YL, Yahya A, Appannan M, Said MA, et al.

PLoS One, 2019;14(2):e0212497.
PMID: 30818394 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0212497

An early warning system for dengue is meant to predict outbreaks and prevent dengue cases by aiding timely decision making and deployment of interventions. However, only a system which is accepted and utilised by the public would be sustainable in the long run. This study aimed to explore the perception and attitude of the Malaysian public towards a dengue early warning system. The sample consisted of 847 individuals who were 18 years and above and living/working in the Petaling District, an area adjacent to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A questionnaire consisting of personal information and three sub-measures of; i) perception, ii) attitude towards dengue early warning and iii) response towards early warning; was distributed to participants. We found that most of the respondents know about dengue fever (97.1%) and its association with climate factors (90.6%). Most of them wanted to help reduce the number of dengue cases in their area (91.5%). A small percentage of the respondents admitted that they were not willing to be involved in public activities, and 64% of them admitted that they did not check dengue situations or hotspots around their area regularly. Despite the high awareness on the relationship between climate and dengue, about 45% of respondents do not know or are not sure how this can be used to predict dengue. Respondents would like to know more about how climate data can be used to predict a dengue outbreak (92.7%). Providing more information on how climate can influence dengue cases would increase public acceptability and improve response towards climate-based warning system. The most preferred way of communicating early warning was through the television (66.4%). This study shows that the public in Petaling District considers it necessary to have a dengue warning system to be necessary, but more education is required.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Fulltext View of Pakistani Residents toward Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) during a Rapid Outbreak: A Rapid Online Survey

Hayat K, Rosenthal M, Xu S, Arshed M, Li P, Zhai P, et al.

Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020 05 12;17(10).
PMID: 32408528 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17103347

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a deadly disease that is affecting most of the countries worldwide. Public understanding, including knowledge about signs and symptoms, mode of transmission, and hygiene of COVID-19, is vital for designing effective control strategies during a public health crisis. The current study is aimed at investigating the public's perspective about COVID-19, including their knowledge, attitude, and practices.
METHODS: A rapid online survey comprising 22 items was administered during the rapid outbreak of COVID-19 in Pakistan. Questions were focused on the prevention, transmission, clinical features, and control of COVID-19. In addition, the attitudes and practices of the participants were explored. Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and regression analysis were carried out during data analysis.
RESULTS: A total of 1257 respondents participated in this study. Most of the respondents had good knowledge (good = 64.8%, average = 30.5%, poor = 4.7%) of COVID-19. Gender, marital status, education, and residence were observed to have a significant association with the knowledge score. A vast majority of the survey respondents (77.0%) believed that COVID-19 would be controlled successfully in Pakistan. The practices of wearing a mask (85.8%) and handwashing (88.1%) were common among the participants.
CONCLUSION: The participants demonstrated good knowledge and reasonable attitudes and practices toward most aspects of the COVID-19 outbreak. Improvements in certain areas could be made by mass-level education.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*
A review of the status of foot and mouth disease in South-East Asia and approaches to control and eradication

Gleeson LJ

Rev. - Off. Int. Epizoot., 2002 Dec;21(3):465-75.
PMID: 12530354

The author presents reports of foot and mouth disease (FMD) submitted between 1996 and 2001 to the Office International des Epizooties (OIE: World organisation for animal health) Sub-Commission for FMD in South-East Asia. Of the ten countries in South-East Asia, FMD is endemic in seven (Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) and three are free of the disease (Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore). Part of the Philippines is also recognised internationally as being free of FMD. From 1996 to 2001, serotype O viruses caused outbreaks in all seven of the endemically infected countries. On the mainland, three different type O lineages have been recorded, namely: the South-East Asian (SEA) topotype, the pig-adapted or Cathay topotype and the pan-Asian topotype. Prior to 1999, one group of SEA topotype viruses occurred in the eastern part of the region and another group in the western part. However, in 1999, the pan-Asian lineage was introduced to the region and has become widespread. The Cathay topotype was reported from Vietnam in 1997 and is the only FMD virus currently endemic in the Philippines. Type Asia 1 has never been reported from the Philippines but was reported from all countries on the mainland except Vietnam between 1996 and 2001. Type A virus has not been reported from east of the Mekong River in the past six years and seems to be mainly confined to Thailand with occasional spillover into Malaysia. The distribution and movement of FMD viruses in the region is a reflection of the trade-driven movement of livestock. There is great disparity across the region in the strength and resources of the animal health services and this has a direct impact on FMD control. Regulatory environments are not well developed and enforcement of regulations can be ineffectual. The management of animal movement is quite variable across the region and much market-driven transboundary movement of livestock is unregulated. Formal quarantine approaches are generally not supported by traders or are not available. Vaccination is not used widely as a control tool because of the expense. However, it is applied by the Veterinary Services in Malaysia to control incursions of the disease and there is a mass vaccination programme for large ruminants in Thailand where the Government produces and distributes vaccine. Vaccination is also used by the commercial pig sector, particularly in the Philippines and Thailand.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Malaysia culls pigs as Nipah virus strikes again

Ahmad K

Lancet, 2000 Jul 15;356(9225):230.
PMID: 10963210
Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control
Islam and harm reduction

Kamarulzaman A, Saifuddeen SM

Int J Drug Policy, 2010 Mar;21(2):115-8.
PMID: 20006483 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2009.11.003

Although drugs are haram and therefore prohibited in Islam, illicit drug use is widespread in many Islamic countries throughout the world. In the last several years increased prevalence of this problem has been observed in many of these countries which has in turn led to increasing injecting drug use driven HIV/AIDS epidemic across the Islamic world. Whilst some countries have recently responded to the threat through the implementation of harm reduction programmes, many others have been slow to respond. In Islam, The Quran and the Prophetic traditions or the Sunnah are the central sources of references for the laws and principles that guide the Muslims' way of life and by which policies and guidelines for responses including that of contemporary social and health problems can be derived. The preservation and protection of the dignity of man, and steering mankind away from harm and destruction are central to the teachings of Islam. When viewed through the Islamic principles of the preservation and protection of the faith, life, intellect, progeny and wealth, harm reduction programmes are permissible and in fact provide a practical solution to a problem that could result in far greater damage to the society at large if left unaddressed.

Matched MeSH terms: Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control*

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