I would like to congratulate the government for taking precautionary steps to prevent the current strain of avian influenza from spreading into our country. It is a relief to know that the authorities here have the foresight to include migratory birds in their list of animals suspected of carrying the flu virus, instead of only confining it to poultry such as chickens and ducks.

Although it has not been scientifically proven that wild birds can harbour the germ, it is always safer to be comprehensive rather than lackadaisical in the practice of preventive medicine. Therefore, it is encouraging to note that the authorities are conducting tests in areas where migratory birds converge and the public is being advised to avoid contact with these birds.

However there is one particular field, which the scientists and authorities have failed to recognise as a potential threat to our nation's health. This is the cultivation and rearing of swallow birds in premises meant for business, in towns all over Malaysia.

In the past few years, buildings have been converted to resemble the habitat of these birds and various methods have been employed to attract the swallow birds to build their nests in these locations.

We should laud the ingenious effort of these entrepreneurs to boost the nation's economy. But on the other hand, by bringing wildlife closer to the human population, these patriotic businessmen might actually be exposing the public to unknown diseases.

In Sungai Petani, many premises have been converted into breeding ground for birds as owners hope for lucrative harvests. In Taman Patani Jaya itself, there are already six premises which conduct these activities side by side with other regular businesses.

Shop owners and residents are not only exposed to the risk of contracting diseases from the birds, but are also distressed by the constant streaming of bird sounds through loud speakers located around the place to attract these birds. Vehicles and shop compounds are littered with bird droppings daily and everyone here feels a foreboding sense that a health catastrophe is about to happen.

There have been many reports and complaints made to the Sungai Petani Municipal Council but not much have been done to halt this irresponsible activity. This is not surprising, as the government also encourages the cultivation of birds' nest through workshops organised by the Science, Technology and Environment Ministry and the wildlife department in Penang recently.

As the number of bird flu cases increase in our neighbouring countries, we should ask ourselves why these new diseases are cropping up more regularly than ever in the past decade. Is it because the human population have been brought closer to wildlife due to our own selfish need to satiate our hunger for exotic animals?

It is commendable that customs officers at our border checkpoints are on the alert for illegal entry of chickens and ducks from affected neighbouring countries such as Thailand. However it must be pointed out that wildlife such as birds do not recognise geo-political barriers. If they carry any viral diseases, they will ultimately infect our local livestock, and probably unsuspecting Malaysians too.

I strongly urge the government to look into the noise pollution and risk of health hazards caused by the rearing of swallows in populated areas. If we want to practice smart medicine in our country, we should look into all possible avenues of preventing diseases before they strike.

The health and well being of Malaysians should not be compromised just for the sake of boosting the country's economy and filling the coffers of a few irresponsible entrepreneurs.

In its zest to regulate and promote traditional and complementary medicine, the Health Ministry should also be taken to task for its unorthodox endorsement of traditional medicinal products. Endorsement without proper enforcement of the rule of law will just serve as a green light for opportunists to cash in on unproven health claims. This can already be observed from the gradual transformation of our townships into birdcages and boiling pots for potential diseases.