PETALING JAYA: An tuberculosis (TB) cluster outbreak has been identified in Kota Tinggi, Johor with a total of 33 people having been infected so far, says the Johor Health Department.
The department said the Kota Tinggi District Health Office detected a TB outbreak in the Kota Tinggi district on Jan 25.
As of Wednesday (Feb 4), the department said 33 cases have been detected through active case detection involving 804 close contacts.
“All patients have received treatment and are currently under close monitoring at nearby health facilities.
“We advise residents living in the affected area and surrounding areas, especially those experiencing prolonged cough symptoms or who have had contact with TB patients, to immediately undergo health screening at the nearest health facility to curb the spread of this disease.
“TB can be prevented and completely cured through effective treatment with a minimum treatment duration of six months,” it reminded the public in a press release on Wednesday (Feb 4).
The department also acknowledged that one of the TB patients has passed away but confirmed that the death was not caused by TB.
TB, also known as “batuk kering”, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis and spreads through the air to nearby close contacts.
The public is advised to be wary of TB’s symptoms which include prolonged cough, significant weight loss, loss of appetite, night sweats, and coughing up blood.
