Infectious diseases up in Klang

NST: KLANG: There has been an alarming surge in tuberculosis (TB) and hand, foot and mouth (HFM) infections here.
Klang member of parliament Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew said more than 500 cases of HFM disease were detected in the first six months of the year compared with 300 last year.
"Three kindergartens in Taman Eng Ann, Bukit Tinggi and Taman Pendamar Indah were closed to contain the spread of the disease," she said at a health clinic organised by Wanita MIC at SMK Pandamaran Jaya.
The kindergartens have since reopened.
HFM disease is a viral illness that causes rashes, sores and fever. It is contagious but rarely fatal and mainly affects children.
Tan said more cases were reported this year because authorities were slow to react to the outbreak compared with last year when warnings were promptly issued and steps taken to contain the disease.
"Kindergartens and schools should be on the lookout for signs of the disease and take steps to isolate those infected."
More alarming is the increase in TB cases among the locals here in the past one-and-a-half years.
"TB is no longer a disease that plagues foreign workers," Tan said.
She added that 471 TB cases were reported in Klang last year, of which 404 cases or 86 per cent involved locals.
"There were 20 people who died, of which 13 were HIV patients who were more susceptible to the infection."
More than 350 TB cases were reported here between January and June.
However, no deaths were recorded.
Tan said the higher number of TB infection among locals could be due to the mingling of local and foreign factory workers.