Melaka records 500 TB cases each year - Dr Rusdi

MELAKA - Melaka records about 500 tuberculosis (TB) cases every year, said state Health Department director Datuk Dr Rusdi Abd Rahman.

He said the situation was worrying because it was a relatively high number, with an estimated 20 people per 100,000 population in the state infected with the disease.

"This is not a good number because there are about one million residents in Melaka. This figure is still high, and (the disease) needs to be contained.

"Up to the 12th epidemiological week this year, a total of 127 cases have been recorded compared to 107 cases during the same period last year,” he told reporters here today.

Dr Rusdi said 88 cases were recorded in Melaka Tengah, followed by 35 cases in Alor Gajah and 10 cases in Jasin.

He added that the Health Department is urging those with symptoms or signs of tuberculosis, such as fever at night or a persistent cough that lasts for more than a week, to go to the clinic to be examined.

"We now have a quick method to detect TB bacteria. I advise anyone with symptoms to go to the clinic immediately and get treatment,” he said - BERNAMA