A primary school student in Pontian, Johor has tested positive for tuberculosis (TB), health authorites has confirmed marking the first confirmed TB infection in the district linked to the wider outbreak in neighbouring district, Kota Tinggi
The Pontian District Health office has reported that a male student from a local primary school was diagnosed with TB after medical evaluation. In response, close contacts to the student including classmates and others who may have been exposed have been identified and instructed to undergo health screening at the Pontian Health Clinic, following guidelines by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
As part of the public health response, sanitation and thorough cleaning measures are being carried out in areas considered at risk within the school environment to reduce further transmission.
Earlier Johor Education and Information Committee chairman, Aznan Tamin emphasised that this case is the first outside the previously reported outbreak zone in Kota Tinggi, where 33 people got diagnosed with TB and 6 of them were students. Those students from Kota Tinggi are currently receiving treatment and are under close medical monitoring.
Aznan has announced that, for now, no schools will be closed as health screenings are being conducted across the region. He reminded all schools in Johor to strictly adhere to the Ministry of Health’s infectious disease protocols to maintain a safe learning environment for both students and staff. Aznan emphasized that the cooperation of the entire school community is essential to ensure the effectiveness of these preventive measures.
Source: Malay Mail
