Vaccination the 'best prevention method'

JOHOR BARU: The resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in the last 10 years has prompted the authorities to be on a constant watch for the contagious disease.
Symptoms of tuberculosis

In Johor, there has been a steady increase of cases: there were 44.3 per 100,000 people in 2000 and 58.7 per 100,000 people last year who had symptoms related to TB or pulmonary tuberculosis.

The spike in TB cases was enough for the authorities to push the alert button, said Johor deputy health director Dr Fatimah Othman.

She said despite the advent of medical technology, it was difficult to effectively contain TB since it might take months or years for the disease to manifest itself once a person was infected.

Dr Fatimah said the awareness campaign was mostly carried out among the relatives of the patient.

"It is a concern and most cases involved adults aged 20 and above. In Johor, 90 per cent of the patients are locals."

Arresting the disease was not easy as the initial symptoms, such as prolonged fever, coughing, loss of appetite and lethargy, could be mistaken for other ailments.

"At one time, the superstitious would blame the black magic practice of santau for the bloody sputum," said Dr Fatimah.

Vaccination through BCG injections at birth and at 12 years old was currently the best prevention method, she said.

"The injection is given free of charge and the government has covered everyone in the target group," she added.

Source: NST