Authorities intensify TB prevention efforts after early-year surge

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Johor recorded 280 new tuberculosis (TB) cases in the first six weeks of this year with health authorities stepping up prevention efforts to curb the spread of the airborne disease.

State health and environment committee chairman Ling Tian Soon said the cases translate to an incidence rate of 6.6 per 100,000 population.

“The risk of transmission is higher in enclosed, crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, especially when there are active TB cases that have yet to receive treatment,” he said during the state assembly meeting yesterday.

Ling was replying to Hasrunizah Hassan (BN-Pulai Sebatang) who asked the current number of tuberculosis patients in the state and what are the prevention plans to prevent the disease from spreading.

TB is an infectious disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria and spreads through the air, particularly when there is close contact with an infected person.

Ling said early detection remains the most important measure in controlling the ­disease, urging individuals with symptoms such as a prolonged cough lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, night sweats and breathing ­difficulties to seek immediate screening at nearby health facilities.

“Early screening allows treatment to begin promptly if a case is confirmed and this helps break the chain of infection,” he said.

He added that all confirmed TB patients are placed under strict treatment monitoring where patients are observed taking their medication daily to ensure full compliance and reduce the risk of drug-resistant TB.

Ling also highlighted the ­importance of contact tracing, saying district health offices will identify and screen close contacts of confirmed cases, including family members and colleagues.

“As soon as a new case is detected, all close contacts will be screened to ensure early detection and prevention of further spread,” he said.

Ling said the national BCG ­vaccination programme for newborns remains a key protective measure against severe TB infections in children, including TB meningitis and miliary TB.

He also stressed the importance of environmental controls, particularly proper ventilation in homes, workplaces and public spaces to reduce the risk of ­airborne transmission.

“There is a need for stronger public education efforts to ­promote proper cough etiquette and reduce stigma against TB patients,” he added.