It’s just fake news, no TB outbreak in Johor, says Health Department

JOHOR BARU: The state Health Department has refuted claims that there have been more than 70 tuberculosis (TB) cases in Kampung Melayu Majidee Baru and Kampung Melayu Pandan.

The messages circulating, which also warned the public to stay away from these areas, were fake news, said its director Dr Selahuddeen Abd Aziz.

“From January until July this year, we only recorded 10 cases of TB in the areas mentioned, and in all of the cases, patients were given treatment and continuous health monitoring.

“We would also like to clarify that the Health Department never issued any order to prohibit the public from going to said places, ” he said in a statement on Thursday (August 1).

Dr Selahuddeen said TB was caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bug.

The disease is transmitted through the mouth and nose of the TB patients when they sniff, talk or sneeze.

Patients who have been diagnosed with TB should seek urgent medical care and take the TB medicine according to the recommendations of the attending physician.

TB patients should be treated immediately to ensure they do not spread the disease to others.

“TB is one of the most contagious diseases and must be reported to the Health Department. We will constantly monitor any reported incident.

“I would like to reiterate to the public that the message is fake.

“The public should not spread or easily fall for such news to avoid panic and confusion, ” he added.

Dr Selahudeen’s statement came following a viral message on Facebook which shared a screenshot of a conversation about an outbreak of TB in Kampung Melayu Majidee Baru and Kampung Melayu Pandan.

Source: TheStar