Health Ministry reports 503 TB cases this week, urges vigilance during festive season.

PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry (MOH) has released an update on the current situation of tuberculosis (TB) in the country as of Epidemiological Week 5 (EW 5/2026).

A total of 503 new TB cases were reported, bringing the cumulative number of cases this year to 2,571.

The distribution of cases across states shows that Sabah recorded the highest number with 614 cases (23.88%), followed by Selangor with 476 cases (18.51%) and Sarawak with 257 cases (10%).

Other states affected include Johor (233 cases), the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya (202 cases), Penang (148 cases), Kedah (144 cases), Perak (127 cases), Kelantan (96 cases), Pahang (81 cases), Terengganu (60 cases), Negeri Sembilan (58 cases), Melaka (42 cases), Perlis (17 cases), and the Federal Territory of Labuan (16 cases).

In view of the upcoming festive season and long holidays, the Ministry has advised the public to remain vigilant in preventing TB.

Members of the public are encouraged to practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette and to wear masks in crowded areas.

Individuals experiencing symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, loss of appetite, or unexplained weight loss are urged to undergo screening at the nearest health facility.

The Ministry emphasised that these precautions are not only part of self-risk assessment but also a vital social responsibility to protect oneself, family, and the wider community from infectious diseases.

 The Sun Malaysia