KUALA LUMPUR, March 2, 2026 — The Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia has reported a continued decline in new tuberculosis (TB) cases during the seventh epidemiological week of 2026, signalling progress in the nation’s efforts to control the infectious disease.
In its latest weekly surveillance update, the ministry recorded 417 new TB cases nationwide over the past week, a reduction compared with 482 cases during the same period in 2025 — a drop of 65 cases year‑on‑year. This improvement is seen as a positive indication of the effectiveness of ongoing TB prevention and control strategies led by federal health authorities.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said the downward trend and absence of newly identified clusters demonstrate that enhanced surveillance, early detection, public outreach and targeted interventions have contributed to reducing TB transmission risks. He described the development as encouraging and emphasised the ministry’s commitment to sustaining this progress.
“Alhamdulillah, no new clusters have been identified and the number of cases is trending downward. We hope this positive pattern continues,” Dr Dzulkefly said after attending the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat roadshow and Perdana Iftar ceremony in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.
He noted that the ministry will maintain strict monitoring and enforcement measures, ramp up early screening programmes for high‑risk groups, and continue to promote public awareness on the importance of seeking treatment as soon as symptoms arise.
Dr Dzulkefly was joined at the event by Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob, underscoring the collaborative work between federal and state health agencies.
Context of Ongoing TB Response
Tuberculosis remains a persistent public health challenge in Malaysia, with weekly reports fluctuating throughout the year. Earlier data showed higher counts in weeks preceding the current report, which triggered renewed emphasis on surveillance and community outreach. For example, in the sixth epidemiological week, health authorities recorded 596 new cases, bringing the cumulative count to over 3,000 for the year, and issued advisories warning of TB transmission risks in crowded settings such as Ramadan bazaars.
In response to these higher counts, MOH stressed the importance of proper coughing etiquette, mask use in crowded areas, and prompt medical follow‑up for anyone with a cough lasting more than two weeks. Such measures are part of broader efforts to achieve the strategic goals outlined in Malaysia’s National Strategic Plan to End TB (2021–2030), which aims to strengthen early detection, treatment adherence and transmission prevention nationwide.
Other Public Health Updates
During the same public outreach event, Dr Dzulkefly also addressed other health concerns raised by Malaysians. The ministry has received 12 food hygiene complaints related to Ramadan bazaars nationwide as of the past Saturday, including four submitted via WhatsApp. However, he noted that no food poisoning cases have been reported to date and no compounds have been issued to traders, as most vendors are complying with sanitation and food safety guidelines.
The minister’s remarks highlighted the ministry’s broader commitment to public health beyond TB alone, covering both infectious disease control and food safety monitoring as Malaysia enters the Ramadan season.
