Infectious Diseases Act 1976 · 2020 Revised Edition · Part 3 · Control of Infectious Diseases Within Singapore
13. Destruction and disposal of infected animals, food and water
Feedback & supportLast amended by an amending law of 2024. 3 amendments in all.
If the Director‑General of Health considers any animal, food or water to be a source for the transmission of an infectious disease, the Director‑General of Health may —
infectious disease
“infectious disease” means —(a)any of the diseases specified in the First Schedule; and(b)for the purposes of sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 17A, 19, 55, 57A and 59A, includes any other disease —(i)that is caused or is suspected to be caused by a micro‑organism or any agent of disease;(ii)that is capable or is suspected to be capable of transmission by any means to human beings; and(iii)that, the Director has reason to believe, if left uninvestigated or unchecked, is likely to result in an epidemic of the disease;
if the source is an animal — order the person who owns or is in possession of the animal to destroy it; or
if the source is food or water — order the person who owns or is in possession of it to dispose of it,and impose any requirement that the Director-General of Health thinks fit in relation to the destruction of that animal or the disposal of that food or water, as the case may be.
Any person who fails to comply with an order made or requirement imposed by the Director-General of Health under subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence.
Director-General
“Director-General” means the Director‑General of Public Health appointed under section 3(1) of the Environmental Public Health Act 1987;
Without affecting any proceedings under subsection (2), where an order made or requirement imposed by the Director-General of Health under subsection (1) has not been complied with, the Director-General of Health, a Health Officer or a police officer may —
Health Officer
“Health Officer” means a Health Officer appointed by the Director‑General, the Director‑General, Food Administration or the Director under section 4;
without warrant and with such force as may be necessary, enter the premises where the animal, food or water (as the case may be) is to be found; and
take or cause to be taken the measures specified in the order for the destruction of the animal or the disposal of the food or water.
The costs and expenses incurred by the Director-General of Health or a Health Officer under subsection (3) must be paid by the person in default and may be recovered as a debt due to the Government.