3,169 persons screened in Bedok TB screening, most test negative as 473 require follow-up checks: CDA

SINGAPORE: The majority of individuals screened for tuberculosis (TB) during a recent public health exercise in Bedok have tested negative, according to the Communicable Diseases Agency (CDA).

The agency said 3,169 people underwent TB screening between 2 May and 8 May 2026.

Of those screened, 85.1 per cent tested negative for the disease.

The remaining 14.9 per cent, or 473 individuals, recorded positive blood test results and will require follow-up chest X-rays to determine whether they have active tuberculosis disease or latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI).

In a press release issued on 13 May 2026, CDA said most of the individuals with positive blood test results were expected to have latent infections rather than active disease.

“The vast majority of these individuals are expected to have LTBI, which means they do not exhibit symptoms of TB, are not infectious, and therefore do not pose a public health risk,” the agency said.

Health authorities added that the positivity rate was within expectations due to the presence of identified transmission clusters and the demographic profile of the area, which includes a relatively large elderly population.

The screening exercise targeted tenants, workers and visitors linked to three locations in Bedok where investigations uncovered transmission clusters.

The locations were Heartbeat@Bedok, Block 216 Bedok Food Centre & Market, and the Singapore Pools Bedok betting centre.

Investigations conducted by the authorities identified 13 genetically similar TB cases across three clusters between January 2023 and February 2026.

Screening and follow-up measures

CDA stressed that a positive blood test does not automatically indicate active TB disease.

“The blood test indicates whether a person has been exposed to the TB bacteria, and a further chest X-ray is needed to determine their actual health status,” the agency said.

“Most are expected to have LTBI, which is not uncommon in Singaporeans.”

Authorities noted that latent tuberculosis infection remains relatively common, particularly among older age groups.

According to CDA, latent TB prevalence among Singapore residents stood at 12.7 per cent in 2015.

The prevalence increases significantly with age. Among individuals aged between 18 and 29 years old, the prevalence was around 2 per cent. That figure rose to 29 per cent among those aged between 70 and 79 years old.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) previously stated in 2024 that approximately 90 per cent of people with latent tuberculosis carry inactive bacteria throughout their lives without developing active disease.

MOH added that around 5 per cent of individuals with latent tuberculosis may develop active TB within the first two years after infection.

Another 5 per cent may develop active disease later in life.

CDA said the current screening programme includes mandatory and voluntary participants.

Of the 3,169 people screened, 1,255 belonged to the mandatory screening group.

As of Tuesday, 41 individuals from that group had yet to complete screening or book appointments.

The agency urged those individuals to undergo testing promptly.

“We urge them to come forward for testing at SATA CommHealth Bedok Clinic or the National Tuberculosis Screening Centre as soon as possible,” CDA said.

Free screening and treatment support

Health authorities said screening and follow-up testing would remain free until 5 June 2026.

The agency is also contacting individuals who tested positive in blood screenings to arrange chest X-ray appointments through phone calls.

Those who tested negative will receive notifications through SMS.

To support follow-up checks, an on-site mobile chest X-ray service will operate at Heartbeat@Bedok from 13 May to 15 May.

Individuals unable to attend the mobile service may instead undergo chest X-rays at SATA CommHealth facilities.

CDA said individuals with normal chest X-ray findings would be referred to SATA CommHealth Bedok for preventive TB treatment.

The preventive treatment is voluntary, with costs fully covered by the agency.

Meanwhile, individuals with abnormal chest X-ray results will undergo further evaluation at the National Tuberculosis Care Centre.

Those diagnosed with active TB disease will begin treatment promptly, according to the agency.

CDA added that contact tracing would continue for each confirmed active TB case under existing public health protocols.

The agency said close contacts identified through tracing efforts would be evaluated and screened where necessary.