THE INVISIBLE ENEMY: SINGAPORE'S ENCOUNTERS WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASES - PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

The Invisible Enemy: Singapore’s Encounters with Infectious Diseases – Past, Present & Future

An Exhibition at the National Library

 

 

"History has told us that no one can stop a pandemic. The question is: when is it going to happen? I don't think anybody has the answer to it. We have to be on the lookout for any time, any day."

                – Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO

 

"One of the things we're very worried about in today's situation versus 1918 is that, in fact, we have so many new hosts available, that virus can transmit between those billions and billions of chickens in one year more so today than it used to be able to do in a whole century."

 – Dr Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy

 

An exhibition on Infectious Diseases will be launched by Minister for Health Mr Khaw Boon Wan on Thursday 24 May 2007. Hosted at the Central Lending Library in Basement 1 of the National Library at 100 Victoria Street, the exhibition will be open to the public from noon of Thursday 24 May until Sunday 8 July from 10am to 9pm daily. The exhibition will explore:

 

 

This exhibition is presented by the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Arts (MICA) and its partners – National Archives of Singapore (NAS), Health Promotion Board (HPB), Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) and National Library Board (NLB). The exhibition was made possible with support from National Security Co-ordinating Centre (Prime Minister’s Office), MOH, MHA & MICA.

 

The Invisible Enemy

 

Throughout history, infectious diseases have exacted a heavy toll on humankind.  From epidemics such as the Black Death (plague) and the Spanish Flu to polio and dengue fever outbreaks in Singapore, infectious diseases have claimed millions of lives.  Despite major advances made in medicine, science and technology in the past few decades which have improved our ability to fight diseases, the threat of infectious diseases remains ever-present.  In today’s global society, trade, travel, war, climate changes and urbanisation all affect the spread of infectious diseases.  Singaporeans learnt this during the SARS crisis of 2003.

 

The exhibition is divided into several sections that explore different aspects of infectious diseases and how they impact Singapore. Through text panels, photographs, artefacts, interactive displays, video clips, documents and news reports, visitors to the exhibition will be able to learn how and what they can all do to fight and prevent diseases, individually and as a nation. 

 

Section 1 – Historical Overview

This section by NAS explores Singapore’s past encounters with infectious diseases and epidemics, from the time of the Straits Settlements through the Japanese Occupation to the 1970s.  There are useful insights into how Singapore dealt with disease outbreaks, and some of the innovative and groundbreaking approaches used to meet these challenges.

 

Section 2 – Emerging Diseases

This segment dwells on the more common threats Singaporeans face today. Here, HPB explains how a healthy lifestyle and basic preparedness can help minimise the threat of common infectious diseases.  A “Kitchen” helps the visitor learn some simple measures to keep his family and himself safe.  There is an interesting interactive quiz on taking adequate health precautions.  At the same time, there is fascinating information that many diseases originate from animals such the deadly H5N1 Avian Influenza (bird flu).  There is also 3-D model of an influenza virus on display.  A visitor to the exhibition can also learn what the AVA is doing to keep Singapore free from bird flu and understand how poultry are culled in the event of a H5N1 outbreak.  Rounding off this part of the exhibition is an interesting video clip of Singapore’s recent bird flu exercise.

 

Section 3 – Bio-terrorism

Here, RSIS and DSTA will take the visitor on a journey of discovery.  He will  learn that biological weapons are not a recent development, having been used in some form or other to wage war and promote terror since the dawn of history.  In addition, he will discover the potential threats from bioterrorism and the dangers of biological agents.  He will also see a life-size model of a Bio Safety Level 3 facility used to safely work with potentially dangerous disease agents.

 

Besides the exhibits, the NLB will offer a wide selection of books and a handy booklet with reviews of major works on infectious diseases for visitors who want to learn more.   Visitors at the exhibition can pick up brochures - in four languages - introducing and explaining the exhibition.  Primary School, Secondary School and JC students can take part in a quiz with attractive prices to be won.

 

We hope the exhibition will contribute to enhancing the public’s understanding of the threat posed by infectious diseases – what Singapore is doing to minimize the threats from such diseases and what  individuals can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.  

 

For media enquiries, please contact:

 

Mr Nasrul Rizal Yahya

DID: 6837 9855

Mobile: 9665 6146

Email: nasrul_rizal_yahya@mica.gov.sg

 

or

 

Ms Joanna Kang

DID: 6837 9846

Mobile: 9733 2396

Email: Joanna_kang@mica.gov.sg

 

 

You can also visit: http://www.invisibleenemy.sg

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL RESILIENCE DIVISION

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS

21 May 2007