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SINGAPORE: The Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA) will extend tuberculosis screening at Heartbeat@Bedok by a day following a strong public response after <\/span>13 cases of tuberculosis were discovered<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n The extra day on May 8 will allow 500 more people to be screened, CDA said in a statement on Monday (May 4).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As of 6pm on Monday, 541 people have been screened for tuberculosis at Heartbeat@Bedok. An additional 167 individuals were screened at SATA CommHealth Bedok Clinic on May 2 and May 4.<\/span><\/p>\n Of the 708 people screened, more than 400 volunteered, while 280 were in the mandatory group.<\/span><\/p>\n The agency said that slots for the extended screening will be prioritised for tenants and workers of Heartbeat@Bedok, Block 216 Bedok Food Centre & Market and Singapore Pools Bedok betting centre, as screening is mandatory for them.<\/span><\/p>\n Appointments can also be made for screenings at SATA CommHealth Bedok Clinic or the National Tuberculosis Screening Centre. Screening at these locations is available from May 4 to Jun 5 and is free of charge.<\/span><\/p>\n This move comes after epidemiological investigations found 13 genetically similar cases of tuberculosis across three clusters between January 2023 and February this year.<\/span><\/p>\n Of these, seven have completed treatment, five are currently undergoing treatment and one has died from causes unrelated to tuberculosis. All had begun treatment immediately upon diagnosis and are no longer infectious.<\/span><\/p>\n Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that requires prolonged close contact for transmission. It has a long latent period and may not develop into active disease for months or even years. It is treatable and curable with medication, and early detection helps prevent further spread.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n