GEORGE TOWN - Tuberculosis cases are on the rise in Penang, said Penang Hospital head of respiratory Dr Irfhan Ali Hyder Ali.

Dr Irfhan said last year there were 1,252 tuberculosis cases, while in 2013 they recorded 1,230 cases.

“This rise in the number of cases is worrying as tuberculosis is an airborne disease and can easily be transmitted if they are not immunised, or have poor immunity.

“Smokers, those with renal failure, diabetes, HIV or some sort of immune-compromised condition or disease are even more susceptible.

“The fact that there is no vaccination to prevent it also makes it a dangerous disease if left unchecked,” he said when met at the Penang Hospital.

He was speaking to reporters after Penang Malaysian Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis handed out goody bags and ‘ang pows’ to the 11 tuberculosis patients warded at the hospital in conjunction with the World Tuberculosis Day.

Source: New Straits Times