Two TB cases detected involving supermarket staff in Kuching

Jamilah Hashim

KUCHING, Feb 28 (Bernama)  -- The Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS) has detected two cases of tuberculosis (TB) involving staff of a supermarket here, with the first case detected on Jan 10 and the second on Feb 4, through chest X-rays.

JKNS director Dr Jamilah Hashim  said treatment of the two patients was started immediately after they were found to be suffering from TB.

“Sputum tests were conducted on them and the results were negative,” she said in a statement here today in response to reports on the social media on TB cases in the supermarket concerned.

Dr Jamilah said all the employees of the supermarket have been directed to undergo tests for TB at the Petra Jaya Health Clinic on Monday until Friday this week.

She also advised anyone wanting to go to the supermarket to use face masks.

Dr Jamilah  said the TB Control Unit of the Kuching Health Office had identified 158 contact families, social contacts and colleagues who should undergo TB screening.

She said the management of the supermarket had also undergone X-ray tests at private facilities, and all affected staff were referred to the Petra Jaya health clinic for free consultations.

She said even though two of the supermarket’s employees had been diagnosed for TB, they had not spread the disease to other people as treatment had started and they had observed all instructions.

“The public should not worry as TB is a disease which is treatable and patients recover fully,” she said.

-- BERNAMA