In a press release on Friday, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said that about 30% of 2 Jalan Bukit Merah’s current and former residents, food stalls, shopkeepers, and their employees, who underwent a self-inspection in late May, had tuberculosis. He said the test was positive. (June 24th).
The ministry said additional tests will be done for those who test positive to determine the presence or absence of tuberculosis infection or active tuberculosis.
MOH provided tests to residents and workers in the block last month as a precautionary measure after seven people were diagnosed with tuberculosis between February 2021 and March this year.
“Patients with active tuberculosis will be treated, patients with latent tuberculosis infection will be given follow-up appointments at the Tuberculosis Control Unit, and treatment will be provided where appropriate,” MOH said in a statement.
The ministry has also detected another case that is “genetically related by whole genome sequencing,” and contact investigations are underway.
MOH will extend tuberculosis screening for people in the area to Friday (June 24th) and Saturday.
The Infectious Diseases Control Law requires screening, and those recalled for further testing must also complete these tests.
The screening station will be located at the Queenstown HockSan Zone Residents’ Committee Center in Block 3 Jalan Bukit Merah.
According to MOH, those who are unable to participate in the screening during these two days will be available for testing by August 5 (at the designated SATA clinic at the Potonpacil Medical Center).
