Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

Malaysia Reports Record TB Outbreak With Over 3,000 Cases Amid Ramadan Celebrations

Malaysia Reports Record TB Outbreak With Over 3,000 Cases Amid Ramadan Celebrations

Malaysia is seeing a significant outbreak of <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/tuberculosis">tuberculosis</a> (TB) -- the world’s most infectious disease -- with cases hitting more than 3,000.

As the outbreak is being reported amid ongoing Ramadan celebrations with people flocking to markets and gathering with family and friends to break their fasts, the country’s Health Ministry has urged citizens to observe precautions and maintain respiratory health, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces.

Between February 8 and 14, the ministry reported a total of 596 new tuberculosis cases nationwide, as per a statement issued on February 21. This drove the total number of TB cases to 3,161 across the country. 

“It should be emphasized that Ramadan itself is not the cause of TB transmission. Nevertheless, increased social activities and gatherings during this month generally lead to greater interaction within the community,” the statement said. 

Sabah reported the highest TB cases -- 755, which is nearly 24 percent of the total number of cases. It was followed by Selangor (596), Sarawak (332), and Johor (280).

A total of 2,571 cases were reported between Jan 1 and Feb 7, according to local media outlet Malay Mail. 

The Health Ministry stated that “crowded, and poorly ventilated spaces” can increase the risk of transmission, “especially if there is an individual with active TB who has not yet received treatment", it said. 

Thus, it advised the “public to continue practicing consistent self-care measures, including maintaining respiratory health”. These include:

<ul><li>Practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquette</li><li>Ensuring good ventilation in enclosed spaces</li><li>Wearing a face mask if experiencing symptoms</li><li>Seeking medical help if experiencing a prolonged cough</li></ul>"This community awareness–based approach is very important to ensure early detection, effective treatment, and prevention of TB spread," the Ministry said.

Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that can spread when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, speaks, or sneezes. 

Common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, often producing mucus or blood. These can also be accompanied by chest pain, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.

Although highly infectious, TB does not usually spread as quickly as influenza or COVID-19 and typically requires longer and repeated exposure.

Prolonged exposure to individuals with active TB who have not yet received treatment can increase the risk of transmission.

The risk may also depend on factors like poor ventilation and immunity levels, and the presence of comorbidities like diabetes and HIV. 

<h2>TB Outbreak In Malaysia: What The Experts Say?</h2>

About 85 per cent of the currently reported cases in Malaysia involve local citizens, while only 15 per cent involve foreigners, according to data from the Health Ministry. 

"TB is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia’s public health landscape, as it has existed for a long time and remains an endemic disease that requires serious attention from all parties," the country’s Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad was quoted as saying to The Straits Times.

Health experts advised people to use a mask when in crowded places, and to seek medical help if they experience any symptoms.

"People should put on face masks while travelling and seek medical treatment early if they show symptoms," Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, professor of epidemiology and public health at Universiti Malaya, was quoted as saying.

Health Conditions A-Z

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Ramadan

Malaysia

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Malaysia is seeing a significant outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) -- the world’s most infectious disease -- with cases hitting more than 3,000. As the outbreak is being reported amid ongoing Ramadan celebrations with people flocking to markets and gathering with family and friends to break their fasts, the country’s Health Ministry has urged citizens to observe precautions and maintain respiratory health, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces. Between February 8 and 14, the ministry reported a total of 596 new tuberculosis cases nationwide, as per a statement issued on February 21. This drove the total number of TB cases to 3,161 across the country. “It should be emphasized that Ramadan itself is not the cause of TB transmission. Nevertheless, increased social activities and gatherings during this month generally lead to greater interaction within the community,” the statement said. Sabah reported the highest TB cases -- 755, which is nearly 24 percent of the total number of cases. It was followed by Selangor (596), Sarawak (332), and Johor (280). A total of 2,571 cases were reported between Jan 1 and Feb 7, according to local media outlet Malay Mail. The Health Ministry stated that “crowded, and poorly ventilated spaces” can increase the risk of transmission, “especially if there is an individual with active TB who has not yet received treatment", it said. Thus, it advised the “public to continue practicing consistent self-care measures, including maintaining respiratory health”. These include: Practicing proper cough and sneeze etiquetteEnsuring good ventilation in enclosed spacesWearing a face mask if experiencing symptomsSeeking medical help if experiencing a prolonged cough"This community awareness–based approach is very important to ensure early detection, effective treatment, and prevention of TB spread," the Ministry said.What Is Tuberculosis? Tuberculosis is an airborne infectious disease that can spread when a person with active pulmonary TB coughs, speaks, or sneezes. Common symptoms include a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks, often producing mucus or blood. These can also be accompanied by chest pain, fatigue, fever, night sweats, and unexplained weight loss.Although highly infectious, TB does not usually spread as quickly as influenza or COVID-19 and typically requires longer and repeated exposure.Prolonged exposure to individuals with active TB who have not yet received treatment can increase the risk of transmission.The risk may also depend on factors like poor ventilation and immunity levels, and the presence of comorbidities like diabetes and HIV. TB Outbreak In Malaysia: What The Experts Say?About 85 per cent of the currently reported cases in Malaysia involve local citizens, while only 15 per cent involve foreigners, according to data from the Health Ministry. "TB is not a new phenomenon in Malaysia’s public health landscape, as it has existed for a long time and remains an endemic disease that requires serious attention from all parties," the country’s Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad was quoted as saying to The Straits Times.Health experts advised people to use a mask when in crowded places, and to seek medical help if they experience any symptoms."People should put on face masks while travelling and seek medical treatment early if they show symptoms," Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki, professor of epidemiology and public health at Universiti Malaya, was quoted as saying.