Almost half of foreign workers in Malaysia infected with TB, say doctors

[webfact]

Almost half of foreign workers in Malaysia infected with TB, say doctors
P. Aruna and Desiree Tresa Gasper
The Star

MALAYSIA: -- With almost half of foreign workers failing their medical tests found to be infected with the highly contagious tuberculosis (TB), doctors are raising the alarm over the presence of some three million to six million illegals here.

Malaysian Medical Association president Dr H. Krishna Kumar said illegal foreign workers, who were not screened at all, were the biggest cause for the rise in TB cases.

Although most Malaysians were vaccinated against the disease, those with chronic diseases such as severe diabetes or dengue were in danger, and likely to be infected, he said.

“Those who know they are ill and cannot come in through the legal channel will choose to come in illegally.

“Because those who come in illegally are not screened, they are walking around and spreading the diseases to people here and this is very frightening.

“This is where enforcement by the immigration department is so important,” he said when contacted here yesterday.

Full story: http://www.asianewsnet.net/news-72709.html


-- ANN 2015-03-12

[smedly]

wow

[NickJ]

Double wow

[clockman]

If it is in Malaysia, then it is here in Thailand!

[96tehtarp]

This is shocking.

I didn't know there was a vaccine for TB. There is one and it may be a good idea for long term residents and people travelling frequently to Myanmar, Cambodia etc.

[NickJ]

The vaccine is iffy. I suggest reading about it online.

[nzexpat]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The vaccine is iffy. I suggest reading about it online.

What does "iffy" mean ?

The BACILLUS CALMETTE-GUÉRIN VACCINE (BCG Vaccine) is the only vaccine available which may protect against TB a disease ,which, in modern times is associated with poverty and poor,overcrowded living conditions.

The BCG vaccine (like all vaccines) is not and is not claimed to be 100% effective although it is interesting to note that efficacy has been shown to reduce in geographic areas close to the Equator.

More information about TB and BCG can be found on the WHO website

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs104/en/

http://www.who.int/wer/2004/en/wer7904.pdf (from page27 onward)

[EvilDrSomkid]

If it is in Malaysia, then it is here in Thailand!

Yes, it is for sure. My wife's has recently recovered from it and a massage lady that came to our place has it now and is dying. Will have to check up asap

[Barefoot]

Keep in mind that although the headline suggests that half of all foreign workers have TB, it is actually only one half of those that failed their medical test. That might be a very small number.

[NickJ]

Iffy means that it is a very ineffcient vaccine. That may or may not help most people.

[DrTuner]

This brought instantly to my mind a quote from Full Metal Jacket: 'Be sure you only <deleted> the ones that cough'. Given the dealings near Malaysia-Thailand border perhaps that piece of wisdom should be inverted.

[bangon04]

Keep in mind that although the headline suggests that half of all foreign workers have TB, it is actually only one half of those that failed their medical test. That might be a very small number.

Quote from health website(s)

" TB is spread most easily in closed spaces over a long period of time. However, transmission in an airplane, although rare, has been documented. - See more at: http://www.healthunit.org/infectious/tb/tb_spread.htm#sthash.fCcq3hzb.dpuf

It is also spread by spitting..... welcome to the new Chinese empire.

[cnbiz850]

It is also spread by spitting..... welcome to the new Chinese empire.

Yes! Many may think the Chinese spit out saliva. No. They actually spit out phlegm.

[maidee]

MAY prevent

you get all the other deseases and side effects on top, for FREE

[The Deerhunter]

This is shocking.

I didn't know there was a vaccine for TB. There is one and it may be a good idea for long term residents and people travelling frequently to Myanmar, Cambodia etc.

Yes, for some years now called Twinrix. You need three injections over a month or two. Read up. We have had it done.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twinrix

[bendejo]

And how many of them work with food?

Bad hygiene is characteristic in that country, 30 seconds in any crowded area and you'll see why. Or maybe I have it wrong -- is coughing in someone's face considered a sign of affection?