Biological Agents and Toxins Act (Amendment of First, Second, Fifth and Eight Schedules) Order 2015

Biological Agents and Toxins Act (Amendment of First, Second, Fifth and Eight Schedules) Order 2015 [PDF, 184 KB]

Amendments to First to Fifth Schedules

Following are the amendments made to the First, Second and Fifth Schedule biological agents and toxins:

• Added H7N9 influenza virus and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to Part I and Part II of First Schedule, respectively;

• Added Lujo and Chapare viruses to Second Schedule;

• Moved Flexal virus, Hantaan virus, Seoul virus, Sin Nombre virus, Coccidioides posadasii and Coccidioides immitis from First Schedule Part II to First Schedule Part I; and

• Expanded the coverage to all types of Staphylococcal enterotoxins in Fifth Schedule.

Eight Schedule

The list of non-compoundable offences now only applies to offences committed under Sections 5 and 30, which is related to the non-peaceful use of biological agents and toxins.

Having said, MOH takes all offences committed under the BATA seriously, and will not hesitate to prosecute anyone who breaches any section of the Act, if warranted.