Tuberculosis rate in S'pore up for first time in 10 years
By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 March 2009 2105 hrs

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SINGAPORE: The incidence rate of tuberculosis or TB among Singapore residents has risen for the first time in 10 years.

According to the Health Ministry, the incidence rate last year was 39.8 per 100,000 residents, higher than the 35.1 in 2007.

The actual number of patients also grew by 15.5 per cent to 1,451 last year, up from 1,256 in 2007.

The incidence rate last rose in 1998 when it hit 57 per 100,000 residents, higher than the 55 per 100,000 in the previous year.

After 1998, the rate had been declining until last year.

The Health Ministry says the rise is likely due to more cases of people who are carriers of the TB bacteria developing the disease subsequently as well as increased transmission of TB in the community.

Of the new TB cases, 59.3 per cent or 860 cases were residents aged 50 years and above and 70.4 per cent or 1,022 cases were males.

The Health Ministry says the stigma attached to TB patients and the prolonged treatment required (between six and nine months) are barriers that prevent people from coming forward for diagnosis and treatment.

It says that with the increase in TB incidence, everyone should play their part in controlling TB and keeping the community safe.

Anyone with symptoms such as prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, unexplained weight loss and tiredness,
should seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

Those who fail to adhere to the TB treatment may continue to be infectious and have a higher risk of developing drug-resistant TB and relapse of the disease.

Under the Infectious Diseases Act, TB patients who persistently default treatment may be detained at the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital till they are cured.

- CNA/ir