A total of 4,916 tuberculosis cases and 313 related deaths were recorded in Selangor last year, the state assembly was told today.

State health exco Dr Daroyah Alwi (PKR-Sementa) said the high number of cases recorded were partly due to increased early detection and treatment efforts by the Selangor Health Department.

"The state health department is actively engaging in case detection, through active case finding methods and general screening on groups with high risk of contracting tuberculosis, including diabetes patients, individuals with kidney failure, people in close contact, as well as senior citizens in care centres," she said.

Daroyah was responding to Rodziah Ismail (PKR-Batu Tiga) who asked the state to reveal statistics of tuberculosis infection and deaths last year, in comparison to dengue cases, according to districts.

Rodziah also asked the state to list out its plans to prevent a further rise in numbers of tuberculosis patients.

In response, Daroyah said the state had instructed clinics under its Peduli Sihat scheme to increase tuberculosis screening efforts as well as to take pro-active preventive measures targetting high-risk groups.

"We have encouraged all Peduli Sihat panel clinics to conduct chest x-rays to detect changes in the lungs related to tuberculosis, and to refer the patient for treatment at the nearest clinic," she said.

According to the official figures released, Petaling recorded the highest number of tuberculosis infections with 1,541 patients last year.

This was followed by Hulu Langat with 1,161 patients and Gombak with 743 patients.

Petaling also recorded the highest number of tuberculosis-related deaths with 89 victims, followed by Klang (58 victims) and Hulu Langat (54 victims).

In terms of dengue infection, Petaling also recorded the highest number of cases with 13,658 patients last year, followed by Hulu Langat with 13,243 cases.

In total, 45,290 dengue cases and 67 related deaths were recorded in Selangor last year.