Health Ministry: Mask up in crowds as TB cases rise

 

Following a nationwide rise in tuberculosis (TB) cases, the Health Ministry has urged everyone to be vigilant and wear facemasks in crowded areas during the festive holidays.

This warning comes after the ministry recorded 503 new TB cases nationwide in the fifth epidemiological week, bringing the total number of cases to 2,571 nationwide.

In a statement, the ministry said that the top three states and regions with the most cases are Sabah with 618 cases or 28.8 percent, Selangor with 476 cases (18.51 percent) and Sarawak 257 cases (10 percent).

These areas are followed by Johor with 233 cases or 9.06 percent of the national total and the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya with 202 cases or 7.86 percent.

“As the festival season and long holidays begin, the public is advised to be vigilant about preventing the spread of TB by practicing good cough and sneezing etiquette and by wearing masks in crowded areas.

“Individuals that are experiencing persistent coughs, fever, loss of appetite or drastic loss of weight are urged to go for screenings at the nearest health facility,” the statement said.

The number of TB cases recorded in other places are as follows:

● 148 cases (5.76 percent) in Penang;

● 144 (5.60 percent) in Kedah;

● 127 (4.94 percent) in Perak;

● 96 (3.73 percent) in Kelantan;

● 81 (3.15 percent) in Pahang;

● 60 (2.33 percent) in Terengganu;

● 58 (2.26 percent) in Negeri Sembilan;

● 42 (1.63 percent) in Malacca;

● 17 (0.66 percent) in Perlis;

● 16 (0.62 percent) in Labuan.

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- Mkini