PETALING JAYA, 11 February 2026 – Malaysia has reported 10 new tuberculosis (TB) clusters so far this year, prompting health experts to urge the public to wear face masks, seek early medical screening, and adopt preventive measures, especially as festive travel increases the risk of disease transmission.
The warning comes amid heightened mobility during the festive season, when millions of Malaysians travel across states to reunite with family members, increasing exposure risks in crowded public spaces such as buses, trains, and airports.
Public health specialists emphasised that preventive vigilance is essential to contain the spread of tuberculosis, a contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body.
Festive Travel Raises Risk of TB Transmission
Universiti Malaya epidemiology and public health professor Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki advised travellers to wear masks in public transport and avoid travelling if they experience symptoms associated with TB or other infectious diseases.
She stressed that wearing face masks helps reduce the risk of spreading airborne infections, particularly in confined environments with high passenger density.
“If you are unwell, it is best not to travel… If you have any symptoms, it is advisable to get yourself checked,” she said, noting that masks can help prevent the transmission of infectious bacteria and viruses.
She also recommended maintaining proper ventilation in indoor gatherings by keeping doors and windows open, as improved airflow reduces the likelihood of airborne disease transmission.
TB has a relatively long incubation period, which means infected individuals may unknowingly spread the disease before symptoms become severe, making early detection and screening critical to controlling outbreaks.
Screening and Early Treatment Essential to Containing Spread
Medical experts highlighted the importance of widespread screening and uninterrupted treatment in preventing TB from spreading further.
Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations Malaysia president Dr Shanmuganathan T.V. Ganeson noted that comprehensive screening programmes play a crucial role in identifying cases early and linking patients to proper medical care.
He emphasised that effective TB control depends on ensuring all individuals, including both citizens and non-citizens—have access to screening and treatment.
“TB control works best when everyone… has access to screening and treatment,” he said, warning that gaps in access or delayed diagnosis could lead to further transmission and complicate containment efforts.
He also cautioned that treatment interruptions could increase the risk of drug resistance and prolonged transmission, underscoring the need for consistent medical adherence among diagnosed patients.
Not All TB Cases Are Equally Contagious
Medical experts clarified that TB is not always highly contagious, as transmission risk depends on the type of infection.
Pulmonary TB, which affects the lungs, is the most contagious form because bacteria can be transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
However, extra-pulmonary TB, which affects areas such as lymph nodes, bones, joints, or the spine—is generally not infectious because it does not involve the respiratory system.
Understanding this distinction helps reduce unnecessary fear while reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment for contagious cases.
Johor and Selangor Among Key Areas Monitoring TB Clusters
Recent reports identified 33 TB cases in Kota Tinggi, Johor, with all affected individuals currently undergoing treatment.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad also confirmed that Selangor has reported the highest number of clusters, with four identified so far this year, while Johor remains another area of concern.
Authorities are conducting active screening and monitoring programmes to detect additional cases early and prevent further outbreaks.
Strategic Outlook: Public Vigilance Critical to Containing Infectious Disease Risks
The emergence of new TB clusters highlights ongoing public health challenges, particularly as increased mobility, urbanisation, and cross-border travel contribute to disease transmission risks.
For Malaysia, maintaining effective screening programmes, ensuring treatment continuity, and promoting preventive behaviour such as mask-wearing and early medical consultation remain essential to controlling infectious disease spread.
The current situation also reinforces the importance of public health preparedness and community awareness, particularly during high-travel periods when infection risks rise.
As Malaysia continues strengthening its healthcare surveillance and response capabilities, proactive measures by both authorities and the public will remain key to containing TB and protecting public health.
