Malaysia : Over 18,000 TB cases detected last year, says Health Minister

Via The Star :

" TUBERCULOSIS is the second highest infectious disease in Malaysia after dengue, with the number of cases hitting 18,102 last year.

This is a 3.4 % increase over the 17,506 cases reported in 2009.

While it is second in terms of case number, it is the main cause of deaths from infectious diseases, said Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

He said this in a written reply on Monday to a question by Datuk Dr Muhammad Leo Michael Toyad (BN – Mukah) on whether there was a rise in the number of tuberculosis cases among Malaysians.

“In 2008, 17,506 cases were reported, with a notification rate of 63 cases in every 100,000 people.

“In 2009, the number of cases increased to 18,102, with the notification rate of 64 cases in every 100,000 people,” Liow said."