It does not matter how sophisticated are the laboratories, there are some viruses which cannot be identified readily. Assistance from foreign and local experts is expected. The main aim is to get to the exact diagnosis as fast as possible. Once the correct diagnosis is made, effective measures can be taken.

The mass media must have news. Once JE is suspected, details on the disease are reported. Similarly, the moment Hendra encephalitis has been quoted as the virus found in 18 out of the 98 samples, facts and figures on the condition are displayed.

The American Health Department has confirmed the statement of our Health Ministry that the U.S. will be sending scientists to study the mysterious epidemic in Malaysia.

The Government has taken some measures such as the killing of over 300,000 pigs in Negeri Sembilan, mass vaccination of people and pigs and fogging against JE carrriers, the Culex mosquitoes. Armed Forces and Police personnel have started to cull the pigs in Bukit Pelanduk, one of the worst hit areas.

Assistance for the affected pig farmers is important. The Government has announced a Fund to be collected from a lottery. How will the fund be effectively managed? Will it be of help to the pig farmers?

The press report that Hendra is one of the Paramyxoviruses that are RNA viruses. These are heterogeneous; they cause mumps, measles and respiratory infection. Many people have had mumps and measles. But, Hendra is rare. The vectors of Hendra include horses, cats, guinea pigs, bats and birds. Prevention is avoiding blood and excreta of infected animals.

Sure, the mass media have to inform the public on JE and Hendra. But the immediate task is to identify the cause or causes on which effective measures depend.