Sarawak’s deputy premier warns of rising TB cases, with 332 infections recorded since January 2026
KUCHNG: Sarawak has recorded a significant number of new Tuberculosis cases since the beginning of the year, though state authorities stress that the situation has not escalated into a mass outbreak.
Deputy Premier Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian, who also serves as the state’s Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government, confirmed that 332 new TB cases had been detected across Sarawak since January 1, based on the latest available health data.
Speaking at a public event in Kuching, Dr Sim urged residents not to be complacent, warning that TB remains an active health concern in the state.
“People seem to have forgotten that TB is still prevailing in Sarawak. If the public is not careful, it can spread easily — and before long, it could turn into something much harder to control,” he cautioned.
While emphasising that there is no cause for panic, Dr Sim said the rising case count is sufficient reason for heightened public vigilance. State health authorities are actively monitoring developments and have ramped up detection efforts across the region.
Mobile TB screening units have been deployed to extend the reach of detection services, particularly into rural and remote communities. Dr Sim highlighted Bintulu district as a model of proactive response, noting that its health department was among the first in the state to adopt handheld mobile TB screening equipment — enabling rapid deployment to remote longhouses when needed.
Residents are advised to wear face masks in crowded settings, as TB is an airborne infection that can spread when an infected individual coughs or sneezes in enclosed or densely populated spaces. Prolonged close contact with an infected person poses the greatest transmission risk.
Health authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are calling on the public to seek medical attention promptly if symptoms such as a persistent cough, fever, or unexplained weight loss are present.
The Sun Malaysia
