We can all play a part in stopping TB

22 Mar 2009

World TB Day

1 24 March 2009 marks World Tuberculosis (TB) Day. This day, we join hands with all other countries to raise public awareness of the global fight against tuberculosis. The World Health Organisation’s theme for this year’s World TB Day is “I AM STOPPING TB”. It is a continuation of a two-year campaign that recognises the important role of the individual in stopping TB in the community.

Update on the Tuberculosis Situation in Singapore

2 There were a total of 1,451 new cases of TB notified among Singapore residents in 2008, as compared to 1,256 cases in 2007. The TB incidence rate of 39.8 per 100,000 residents in 2008 is higher than the 35.1 per 100,000 in 2007. This is the first time the incidence rate has increased in 10 years. The increase in new cases in 2008 is likely due to increased reactivation of latent TB infection as well as increased transmission of TB in the community.

3 Older age groups and males make up a significant proportion of the new cases. Of the 1,451 new cases, 860 (59.3%) were 50 years old and above, and 1,022 (70.4%) were males. There was one reported case of Multidrug-Resistant TB (MDR TB). In 2008, there were 145 relapsed cases among residents, with 3 of them notified as MDR TB. Please refer to Annex for the detailed statistics.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Complete Treatment of TB Cases

4 To successfully control TB, it is important to ensure that all cases with TB are diagnosed early and undergo complete treatment till cure so as to curb community transmission at the earliest opportunity.  Persons who have symptoms suggestive of TB (such as prolonged cough, fever, night sweats, unexplained loss of weight and appetite, tiredness) should seek medical attention as soon as possible. TB can be cured and patients with TB disease must complete the full course of treatment (6 to 9 months) to ensure they are fully cured. Those who fail to adhere to treatment may continue to be infectious and have a higher risk of developing drug-resistant TB and relapse of the disease.

5 Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is the international standard of care for TB treatment. Under DOT, a trained healthcare professional supervises the patient taking each dose of anti-TB medication and ensures patient’s compliance with treatment. At the same time, it enables the healthcare professional to monitor the patient for any side-effect of treatment. DOT is therefore the ideal mode of treatment for patients with TB and is available in all polyclinics in Singapore.

Controlling TB is Everyone’s Responsibility

6 With the increase in TB incidence, the Ministry would like to emphasise that everyone plays an important role in controlling TB in Singapore and keeping our community safe and healthy. .

7 At the individual level, we can all do our part by ensuring early diagnosis and compliance with full treatment should we suffer from TB. As TB is a respiratory illness, patients should also observe proper cough etiquette (e.g. wearing mask and coughing into tissue) to prevent transmission.

8 The stigma attached to TB patients and prolonged treatment required of TB patients both act as barriers for people coming forward for diagnosis and treatment. At the community level, family, friends and employers of TB patients can play a critical role by providing them the support and encouragement.  For example, family members should encourage and remind patients to adhere strictly to treatment and employers should be considerate by allowing their workers to take some time off to go to the polyclinic for DOT.

9 For those who persistently default treatment and thus pose a public health risk to the community, MOH will take public health enforcement action by requiring them to comply with treatment by DOT under the Infectious Diseases Act. Persons who continue to default their treatment may also be detained at the Communicable Diseases Centre at Tan Tock Seng Hospital till they are cured.

Together, We Can Stop TB

10 TB is curable and the spread of TB is preventable. With everyone playing a part, we can reduce community transmission of TB and stop TB incidence in Singapore from rising.

More information on TB is available at the MOH FAQs at http://www.pqms.moh.gov.sg/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx

MINISTRY OF HEALTH