Singapore's Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) has concluded its tuberculosis screening at Bedok, identifying one person with active TB. The patient, a male, has started treatment and is reported to be doing well. He will become non-infectious after two weeks of therapy. Contact tracing is underway to identify his close contacts.
Out of 3,525 people screened since May 2, 509 tested positive on their blood test, requiring follow-up chest X-rays. To date, 447 have completed the X-ray. Among this group, only the one man was diagnosed with active TB. The remaining 42 individuals with minor chest X-ray abnormalities will undergo further evaluation at the National Tuberculosis Care Centre as a precaution.
CDA noted that both active TB and latent TB rates from the screening are within expectations. In 2024, Singapore recorded 1,156 new active TB cases, an incidence rate of 27.6 cases per 100,000 residents. Latent TB infection is not uncommon, with rates up to 30% in older age groups. Screening and further tests remain free until June 5.