The world of Tzu Chi April 2020 (Vol.121)

2020 • 04 56 Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chee Hui Yee • Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM); PhD in Virology As the global trend towards cross- border migration facilitates exchanges between food cultures worldwide, epidemics are likely to occur at a growing frequency. Stray dogs are kept for consumption without considering the risk of rabies and leptospirosis (rat urine disease). The rabies virus is transmitted to humans through bites or scratches by infected dogs. The disease is incurable; death is an almost certain outcome when symptoms are detected. The Department of Veterinary Services of Malaysia has been striving to raise public awareness on rabies and its prevention, as preventive measures, such as vaccination for strays, smuggled dogs and pet dogs, are key in curbing the spread of rabies. Stray dogs thrive in unhygienic environments infested with rats, exposing them to leptospirosis bacteria that potentially infect humans. If we allow ourselves to be blinded by our ignorance towards the hazards of zoonotic diseases, the indiscriminate treatment of animals by holding them captive for consumption or as pets will continue unchecked, leading to a surge in the frequency and urgency of infections, as well as a wave of epidemics swelling to unmanageable proportions. Scientists have estimated that wild animals host about 600,000 to 800,000 unidentified strains of viruses that are transmissible to humans, signifying that every close encounter with a disease- stricken animal significantly escalates the risk of infection. Zoonotic diseases will likely emerge as the common enemy of all mankind and lead to our eventual downfall. On the one hand, carbon emissions from the livestock industry result in the greenhouse effect, which in turn wreaks havoc on nature. On the other hand, rearing livestock and close contact with wild animals give rise to the spread of zoonotic diseases – the catalyst of which is mankind. Master Cheng Yen has called upon us to cultivate a heart of sincere piety and refrain from sacrificing the lives of animals by embracing vegetarianism in order to prevent causing irreparable harm to the environment with our desire for meat. It is imperative to take immediate action to mitigate the threat of zoonotic diseases, starting with not keeping animals as pets, not consuming meat and not handling animals. Imagine the heavy price we will have to pay in the future for giving in to our desire for meat today. Note: This article was originally published in Chinese in October 2019 prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, hence the focus on epidemics other than Covid-19.