Dubai: With the passing of Cabinet Resolution No 5, 2016, dealing with infectious and communicable diseases including tuberculosis (TB), there is a chance now of people renewing their residence visa and seeking treatment for TB here in the UAE.

Keeping that in mind, the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) held a smart clinic on Monday to highlight the importance of awareness and early detection of TB.

TB is a contagious disease caused by bacteria that is spread from person to person through microscopic droplets released into the air. This can happen when someone with the untreated, active form of tuberculosis coughs, speaks, sneezes, or spits.

Dr Hassan Shurie, Consultant and Head of Technical Services at DHA’s Medical Fitness Department, explained: “In general, in the UAE, the prevalence of TB is quite low, it is roughly five cases in every 100,000 as compared to many countries where the prevalence is 20 to 30 cases per 100,000. The disease is more prevalent in countries and areas where low socioeconomic conditions prevail. In terms of age, it is more prevalent in young adults because often they live in groups in places such as work camps, universities, colleges, etc. The highest prevalence of TB worldwide is in sub-Saharan Africa.”

Dr Shurie said that there are two types of TB: latent and active. “In latent or inactive TB, the patient has the infection but the bacteria remains in the body in an inactive state and causes no symptoms. Latent TB is not contagious. It can turn into active TB and, generally, the chance of it becoming active TB is 10 per cent. Therefore, treatment is important for the person with latent TB to help control the spread of TB. Normally, latent TB becomes active TB when there is a drop in immunity because of certain diseases such as HIV Aids.

“Active TB means the person is actually experiencing all the symptoms of TB and the patient can spread the disease because it is contagious.”

Dr Jamal Abdul Razzak Mustafa, senior pulmonologist at Rashid Hospital, said the combined symptoms of TB include but are not limited to coughing that lasts two to three weeks, coughing blood, chest pain, unintentional weight loss, fatigue, and fever, mainly at night, and sweating at night.

Treatment for active TB includes isolation to prevent the spread of the disease.

Dr Shurie said: “TB is 100 per cent curable; however, absolute compliance with treatment and regular follow-up are extremely important to treat the disease.”