Tuberculosis comeback: What you need to know

Last year, in December 2023, 10 new cases of Tuberculosis (TB) linked to a 2022 cluster in Jalan Bukit Merah were discovered.

In response, the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a mass screening exercise from January 11 to 15, targeting an estimated 3,000 individuals in a bid to detect undetected active cases and prevent further spread of the disease.

Wait, what’s TB?

In short, Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs. It spreads through airborne particles when someone with active lung TB coughs or sneezes.

TB generally exists in two states: active and latent.

A person who has active TB shows symptoms like persistent cough, fever, and weight loss, and can be infectious

On the other hand, someone with latent TB has no symptoms and isn't contagious but can become active. Diagnosis involves skin tests, blood tests, and chest X-rays, while treatment typically requires a long-term regimen of multiple antibiotics.

A long time ago, TB was a death sentence, but these days with early vaccination, and detection, mortality rates have gone down. That said, globally, TB remains a major health challenge, especially in developing countries.

What about TB in Singapore?

Way back in the early 20th century, Tuberculosis (TB) was a major cause of illness and death in Singapore. One big reason was because of the influx of immigrants living in overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and unsanitary conditions.

Of course, over time as Singapore developed better public housing for its residents, as well as introductions of effective antibiotics and the BCG vaccine, TB cases dramatically declined from the 1960s onwards.

That said, TB has never really gone away – as seen in the Bukit Merah cases.

How to stay safe from TB?

Thankfully, staying safe from TB isn’t too difficult; particularly if you’ve developed good habits during the pandemic days. In short, practising good hygiene is essential.

This includes:

Regular hand washing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing.

In high-risk environments or areas with prevalent TB, wearing face masks, especially N95 respirators, can be an effective preventative measure. This is particularly true in crowded places, or healthcare settings.

Additionally, maintaining good ventilation in living and working spaces is crucial, as TB bacteria spread more easily in poorly ventilated areas.

Last but not least, for those in high-risk groups, regular health check-ups and TB screenings are advisable. Vaccination with the BCG vaccine also offers protection, particularly in children, against severe forms of TB.

A health plan covers your hospital bills if you do get infected with TB. This is useful if you’re worried about large amounts of upfront cash if you do get hospitalised.