State health deputy director (public health division) Dr Rozaini Mat Shah said smokers are more susceptible because of their weakened immune system and the harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system.

“Based on last year’s observations, most TB cases involved senior citizens (aged 60 and above), primarily men, particularly Malay men.

“We identified several high-risk groups, and public health efforts and interventions will be more focused on these groups,” Bernama reported her as saying after officiating the state-level World TB Day celebration and the Agenda Nasional Malaysia Sihat roadshow for Seberang Perai Tengah today.

Rozaini said that according to last year’s statistics, 1,273 new and recurring tuberculosis cases were reported in Penang, compared to 1,303 cases in 2023, with 125 deaths recorded, and down from 156 the previous year.

Despite a 2.3% decrease, TB remains among the state’s top five infectious diseases, which include dengue fever, food poisoning, and hand, foot and mouth disease, she said.