Singapore to boost defences against animal-borne diseases with six new research projects
The projects are funded by the $15 million Biosurveillance Research Programme.
Singapore has allocated $15 million to bolster its defence against animal-borne diseases through the Biosurveillance Research Programme. This initiative, announced on August 5, will fund six new research projects to deepen scientific understanding of disease transmission and develop strategic management approaches. Led by researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School, NUS, and NTU, the projects aim to anticipate public health risks arising from climate change and cross-border movement of people, animals, and disease vectors.
Chua Tze Hoong, group director of veterinary health at NParks' Animal and Veterinary Service, highlighted Singapore's role as a major transit hub for migratory birds and animal products, adding to the importance of the research. Six out of seven submitted proposals were selected, with projects investigating novel molecular approaches, the impact of land use and human behavior on disease distribution, and the risk of diseases spreading from local wild mammals to humans.
One project, headed by Gavin Smith from Duke-NUS Medical School, will examine disease pathways in environments like dog runs, veterinary clinics, and animal shelters. Another will assess the risk of diseases from otters, civets, plantain squirrels, and fruit bats, commonly found in urban spaces. The three-year projects will contribute to Singapore's One Health approach, promoting collaboration between human health, animal health, and environmental agencies to safeguard public health.
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