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SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health (MOH) said there were 1,442 new tuberculosis (TB) cases in Singapore last year. The figure represents a dip of 0.6 per cent from the 1,451 cases in 2008.
MOH said older people and men continue to make up a significant proportion of the new cases.
Fortunately, multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), which is a serious problem in many countries, makes up less than 0.5 per cent of all TB cases between 2005 and last year. Three new cases of MDR-TB were reported among Singapore residents in 2009.
MOH released the statistics ahead of World Tuberculosis Day on March 24. The ministry said the low incidence rate could be attributed to Singapore's strong emphasis on treatment compliance under the national TB control programme.
MOH said to successfully control TB and curb community transmission, it is important to ensure that all cases are diagnosed early and undergo complete treatment, which takes 6 to 9 months.
Those who fail to adhere to treatment may continue to be infectious or may suffer a relapse some time later, as all the TB bacteria may not have been killed.
Worse still, the tuberculosis bacteria may mutate to a drug-resistant form, which will be more difficult to treat. Treatment will then have to be for at least 18 months, instead of 6 months.
- CNA/sc
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