Rise in TB cases worrying, says Subramaniam

Approximately 24,000 cases of tuberculosis (TB) were reported last year and the rising trend is indeed worrying, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam.

He said the number recorded last year was a six per cent increase from the number of TB cases reported in 2013.

"This is indeed an unsatisfactory and worrying situation because we also see a rising trend of TB cases of late.

"There are various causes of TB and one of the main causes for the increase in the number of TB cases is the fact that TB bacteria have developed resistance to most commonly used drugs and even chemotherapy," he told reporters after opening the 20th Congress of the Asian Pacific Society of Respirology here today.

Besides, he said the inflow of foreigners into the country had also contributed to the spread of the disease.

"The ministry is really concerned about the matter and is in the midst of organising health screening programmes for members of the public and also foreigners to enable us to detect the disease at the earliest stage possible," he added.