Leprosy : Notifiable Disease
Leprosy will be declared a notifiable disease under the Delhi Epidemic Diseases Act, making it mandatory for all healthcare providers to report every new case of leprosy to the District Leprosy Officer, the government recently.
- Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae.
- It primarily affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.
- It is a neglected tropical disease (NTD).
- People affected by the disease often face social isolation and discrimination, particularly in regions where the illness is more common.
- The disease is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated case of leprosy, containing the causative agent, following prolonged, close contact.
- The disease does not spread through casual contact (like shaking hands or hugging, sharing meals or sitting next to each other).
- The patient stops transmitting the disease upon initiation of treatment.
- Leprosy is a curable disease.
- The currently recommended treatment regimen consists of three medicines (dapsone, rifampicin, and clofazimine) and is referred to as multi-drug therapy (MDT).
