A Bird, A Net, and the Fight Against Disease
The faint sound of rustling leaves on a humid day in Pulau Ubin signalled what Dr Gabriel Low had been waiting for—a small black-browed reed warbler had flown into the net, trapped briefly in its threads.
For Dr Low, a wildlife management researcher with NParks, this wasn’t just a bird. It was a potential source of critical information.
Minutes later, after swabbing and measuring, the bird was released back into the wild.
NParks’ group director of veterinary health, Dr Chua Tze Hoong, highlighted the focus of these efforts in an interview with the Straits Times.
“We want to look at diseases which affect mammalian wildlife, urban birds, as well as those carried by arthropods like ticks, and small animals like dogs and cats.”
Such quiet yet meticulous work is part of Singapore’s growing fight against zoonotic diseases. These illnesses, which spread from animals to humans, have triggered global crises, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the ongoing mpox outbreak.
To strengthen Singapore’s defences, NParks recently launched a call for research proposals under its zoonotic disease research programme, which forms part of a $15 million biosurveillance effort.
Singapore’s Growing Threat
Zoonotic diseases remain a recurring global challenge, often emerging from animals living in proximity to humans. The ongoing mpox outbreak, spread by small mammals like squirrels and monkeys, serves as a stark reminder of these risks.
In densely populated Singapore, these risks are amplified by its unique urban environment.
NParks’ zoonotic disease research programme aims to pre-empt such threats through early detection and targeted interventions.
“I always say that the mosquito is spoilt for choice in Singapore. It’s like a buffet,” explains Dr Ng Lee Ching, group director of environmental health at NEA.
She adds, “Less than a metre away, and there will be another 10 people surrounding you, so it’s very easy to infect people with just a single mosquito.”
These efforts align with initiatives like Project Wolbachia, where the National Environmental Agency uses Wolbachia-carrying male mosquitoes to suppress Aedes aegypti populations. Together, these programmes aim to curb mosquito-borne diseases like dengue while addressing broader public health concerns.
Connecting Health and the Environment
The connections between environmental health and human well-being have become increasingly evident. Climate change, habitat destruction, and urbanisation bring humans and wildlife closer together, heightening the risk of disease spillover.
“An animal that’s more stressed can also release more pathogens or become more infectious with certain diseases,” says Dr Kimberly Fornace, who leads a research programme at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.
To mitigate this risk, NParks conducts regular biosurveillance during the migratory bird season.
Officers use mist nets to catch birds, take biological samples, and release them back into the wild. These proactive efforts have ensured that Singapore remains free of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Strengthening Poultry Inspections at the Border
Singapore’s vulnerability to zoonotic diseases goes beyond its natural biodiversity. As a global hub for trade and transit, the country faces heightened risks from the movement of animals and goods.
Trucks carrying live poultry from neighbouring Malaysia, for instance, are a potential gateway for diseases.
Image credit: Gavin Foo via the Straits Times
At border checkpoints such as Tuas, NParks officers conduct stringent inspections of imported poultry. These include visual checks for symptoms of disease, such as discolouration in a bird’s wattles and combs, which can signal underlying infection.
When any signs of illness are detected, further on-site tests are conducted. As Dr Chua Tze Hoong notes, “If the initial test findings show a suspicion of disease, we will not allow entry of the trucks while we investigate further.”
This vigilant approach ensures that potential outbreaks are contained before they can threaten public health.
A Community Effort to Protect Against Disease
Beyond government agencies, Singapore’s fight against zoonotic diseases involves collaboration with key community partners. One of these is the Mandai Wildlife Group, which manages the country’s four wildlife parks.
@mandaiwildlifereserve
Mandai Wildlife Group also aims to awareness of its programmes through outreach and education on social media platforms.
Home to over 1,000 species, Mandai faces the challenge of safeguarding its animals while preventing disease transmission. “Biosurveillance is the backbone of our preventive healthcare programme for all our animals,” says Dr Xie Shangzhe, Mandai’s vice-president of veterinary healthcare.
Mandai works closely with NParks’ zoonotic disease research programme, submitting avian faecal samples for testing regularly during the migratory season.
For larger outbreaks, Mandai has its own quarantine and isolation facilities. “One area we designed specifically for biosecurity is our quarantine building, which is completely separate from all of our parks,” says Dr Xie.
One Health and the Integration of Healthcare and Biosurveillance
Singapore’s fight against zoonotic diseases is guided by the One Health framework, an approach that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
Established in 2012, Singapore’s framework integrates efforts across agencies, including NParks, the Ministry of Health (MOH), and the National Environment Agency (NEA).
The Whole-of-Government (WOG) Biosurveillance Framework aims to mitigate zoonotic disease risks through science, technology, and interagency collaboration.
Examples of this collaboration include Singapore’s robust response to chikungunya during its 2008-2009 outbreak, which resulted in over 1,000 cases.
NEA’s pre-emptive vector control and surveillance measures prevented the disease from causing a larger epidemic.
The Future of Zoonotic Disease Prevention
The current $15 million biosurveillance initiative supports cutting-edge research to enhance detection and prevention efforts.
Key research themes focus on the genetics of pathogens and their animal hosts, and studying how urban development and animal movement affect disease transmission.
By linking findings to actionable strategies, the programme aims to protect public health on multiple fronts. This includes reducing the burden on healthcare systems by preventing diseases at their source and informing policy decisions for urban planning and conservation.
Joining the Fight Against Zoonotic Diseases
NParks’ call for research proposals under the zoonotic disease research programme is open until 28 March 2025.
Researchers, institutions, and industry experts can submit projects focused on zoonotic disease detection, prevention, and mitigation. The initiative, part of the national biosurveillance strategy, funds research in genomics, disease modelling, and ecological studies.
To learn more about the programme, including guidelines and application details, visit NParks’ Biosurveillance Research Programme website or email enquiries to [email protected].
Image credit: NParks
