Penyakit Zoonotik : Kajian Pengetahuan Penyakit dan Kesedaran Kesihatan di Kalangan Pengamal Perubatan dan Pengendalian Haiwan

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the knowledge of disease and health awareness among medical practitioners and animal handlers or operators. Emphasis is also given on the management and attentiveness in the wake of zoonotic disease outbreaks, together with the transmission of information on zoonotic diseases to the target group. A total of three (3) respondents are medical practitioner and eight (8) animal operators were interviewed during this study. Finding of show that medical practitioners have the knowledge of zoonotic diseases that spread by animals, while there is still a room for improvement among the operator to increase their knowledge on zoonotic diseases. In term of awareness or general practicing on the knowledge, the medical practitioner will
only give full attention on zoonotic diseases during an outbreak or during the disease seasonal outbreak. Zoonotic diseases are not treated as a priority in their everyday work. Interview also reveals that the operators or animal handlers only practice a minimum zoonotic disease prevention practices when managing their livestocks or pets. Opinions and suggestions given by the respondents indicate there is a need for better dissemination of information to the animal operators. The proposed method for the dissemination of information includes by giving advice on zoonotic disease during treatment. training and briefing session as well as through printed materials such as pamphlets or brochures. Finally, this study shows that there is still room for space for improvement in term of the level of preparedness in facing the threat of zoonotic disease. among relevant government agencies in Malaysia.