KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 11 -- Once widely regarded as a "death sentence", tuberculosis (TB) has drawn renewed attention in Malaysia following a recent outbreak in Johor.

Health officials have said the two current TB incidents reported in the state are unrelated, despite occurring within the same state.

The latest case was announced on Monday and involves a male primary school student in Pontian, Johor, who tested positive for TB last week, prompting the screening of his close contacts.

The announcement came just a week after the Health Ministry, on Saturday, reported a TB outbreak in Kota Tinggi, Johor, where 33 people - including six students - tested positive for the respiratory disease. The number has since grown to 37.

More than 800 cl...