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On Feb 4, the health ministry (MOH) circulated a poster showing Malaysians how to protect themselves against contracting the novel coronavirus (now known as Covid-19). The posters were seen at the Ipoh Hospital.
While the ministry’s action is commendable, with its use of images for the benefit of sections of the population who are non-readers, many people, including veterinarians, pet owners and NGOs in animal welfare, are upset with its depiction of a dog under the section “Contact with animals”.
The use of the dog’s image is not just unfortunate, it is irresponsible. The poster is ill thought out. Was it proof-read before printing? Did the MOH’s media personnel consult experts in Covid-19?
Remember the Christmas poster which embarrassed Malaysian Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB), but brought a smile to our faces, because the posters at the Sultan Ismail Petra airport, in Kota Bharu wished us a “Mary Christmas” and not “Merry Christmas”? The posters, which were displayed in December 2017, also wished us “Happy New Years”.
If foreign news reports are to be believed, the animals suspected of starting the Covid-19 epidemic were the bats sold at a market for exotic animals in Wuhan. The only thing that bats and dogs have in common is that both are mammals. To include a picture of a dog on the official MOH poster is not only misleading, it is malicious and can have unfortunate consequences.
Animal welfare workers and activists based in Ipoh and the surrounding townships have experienced an increased number of dogs being poisoned or abandoned. It is not clear if it is the result of the picture of the dog.
Sadly, when dogs are killed with poisoned meat, cats and possibly birds would also be killed.
A spokesman for a dog rescue centre said: There is a severe disconnect between the work of NGOs and the decision-making units of the government. This issue should be raised.”
Another person who manages a shelter for strays said: “The MOH should have consulted the appropriate NGOs on all matters concerning animal welfare.”
A veterinary nurse said: “Why equate the picture of a dog with not frequenting markets that sell live animals, or slaughterhouses? Is the MOH suggesting that our markets sell dogs? Are Malaysians eating dog?”
On social media, a senior veterinary surgeon waded into the argument about the MOH poster, and said there is no evidence that pets, such as dogs or cats, can be infected with coronavirus.
He advised pet owners that, as a matter of good personal hygiene, it is good practice to wash one’s hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This would protect the person against various common bacteria such as e.coli and salmonella that could pass between pets and humans.
These people in animal welfare are trying to make MOH to get its facts right, to prevent a panic.
On Feb 5, a private hospital in Rawang apologised and removed a poster which had asked visitors to declare if they had recently visited Singapore or Sabah.
Malaysians from Sabah and many Singaporeans were angered that the hospital had equated them with the people of Wuhan, where the outbreak of the deadly virus was first detected.
A Facebook entry on the hospital’s site said: “The KPJ Rawang Specialist Hospital takes note of the feedback on the snapshot of the poster. We deeply regret and apologise for this oversight.
“Please rest assured there was no intention to offend any individual or state or country. We have taken corrective action to remove the poster immediately.”
So, will MOH apologise to the public and remove the poster which depicts a dog?
The ministry can reprint the poster and replace the picture of the dog with bats. A large section of the population is already fearful of dogs as their ignorance makes them think that dogs are unclean.
Why should these animals suffer or be put to death because of MOH’s printing oversight? Covid-19 has nothing to do with dogs. MOH should stop spreading false information or “fake news”.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
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