National Security and The Menace of The Nipah Virus, 1998 – 2000: The Malaysian Experience

Abstract

New infectious diseases emerge every year due to changes in social conditions of a society. This situation demonstrates the statement that infectious diseases are a bio-social phenomenon. The national security landscape also underwent transformations in the recent decades. National security has re-oriented its focus, from an emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity during pre-independence, to the continuation of a political, social, economic, and civilizational way of life of a nation and its peoples. This paper analyses the menace of the Nipah virus outbreak posed on national security between 1998 and 2000. The Nipah virus was first recognized in Malaysia. The Government as the main actor had no comprehensive plan when faced with this new disease. While the main requirement needed in overcoming epidemics requires sustainable prevention. The findings show the Nipah outbreak managed to threaten national security, however the capability of the Nipah epidemic to achieve this threat was not solely dependent on high mortality rates, but on other aspects as well, such as, economic disruption and public panic. Government preparedness in health infrastructure, through declaring infectious zones, biosecurity steps, disinfections, and public awareness campaigns yielded effective results in controlling the Nipah outbreak.