Integrating One Health research in Sarawak, Malaysia: Addressing emerging and re-emerging infectious disease through international collaboration

Abstract

Comprising much of the northern side of the Island of Borneo, the Malaysian region of Sarawak is unique for its dense rainforests, diverse wildlife, and a human population that interacts closely with nature. One Health research in Sarawak, particularly that conducted by the Duke-SEGi-CRC Laboratory in the town of Sibu, has led to discoveries that are improving the health of Sarawakians. One Health research has resulted in the discovery of a novel canine-feline recombinant alphacoronavirus (genotype II), highlighting the potential for zoonotic transmission of respiratory viruses. Other One Health research has helped to determine the etiologies of human encephalitis and diarrheal illnesses, and specially improved the understanding of Japanese encephalitis (JE), Plasmodium knowlesi malaria, and melioidosis in Sarawak. This paper highlights the recent impact of international One Health collaborations in emerging and re-emerging infectious disease surveillance in this region. The collaborations have markedly improved local diagnostic capacity, identified previously unrecognized pathogens, and provided public health officials with a better understanding regarding the epidemiology of a number of infectious diseases.