TB: Perak Health Dept Monitoring Situation

IPOH, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- The Perak Health Department is carrying out continuous monitoring to ensure that tuberculosis (TB), also known as dry cough, does not spread within the community.

Perak Health, Human Resources, National Integration and Indian Community Affairs Committee chairman Datuk A. Sivanesan said the TB situation in the state remains under control and does not involve any outbreak similar to the cluster reported in Johor on Jan 25.

He said the department is continuously monitoring the trend of tuberculosis cases in the community and implementing appropriate prevention and control measures.

“As of January, a total of 100 cumulative TB cases have been reported in Perak, all of whom are currently receiving treatment,” he told a press conference after the launch of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Pantai Ipoh Hospital, here, today.

Sivanesan said the State Health Department has also taken note of the media statement issued by the Johor Health Department last Feb 5.

“Based on available information, there is no link between the tuberculosis case in Kota Tinggi and any individual in Perak,” he said.

On Feb 5, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad confirmed a tuberculosis cluster in Kota Tinggi involving 33 positive cases, detected through the screening of 804 close contacts between Jan 25 and Feb 4.

Meanwhile, Sivanesan urged individuals experiencing symptoms such as a cough lasting more than two weeks, fever, night sweats and loss of appetite to undergo screening at any of the 89 health clinics across the state.

“Tuberculosis is a notifiable disease under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988, which allows for close contact tracing and effective measures to break the chain of infection,” he said.

-- BERNAMA