Leprosy Detected in Romania: First Cases in 44 Years.

According to ТСН: Cases of leprosy have been recorded in the Romanian city of Cluj. This infectious disease, which once terrified people due to its disfiguring effects, has almost disappeared in most European countries since before the 1600s.

According to the Romanian Ministry of Health, the disease was discovered in two women from Indonesia, aged 21 and 25, one of whom recently returned from a trip to Asia.

Both women worked as massage therapists at a spa in Cluj.

The Romanian Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogoșete, assured that customers of the establishment need not worry about the risk of infection, as prolonged contact with the infected person is necessary for the disease to transmit.

The last confirmed case of leprosy in Romania was recorded 44 years ago.

What is Known About Leprosy

It is believed that this disease first originated on the Indian subcontinent and spread through trade routes. By 1200, there were about 19,000 establishments in Europe that provided assistance to leprosy patients.

The incidence of the disease began to decline significantly around the 1400s and almost disappeared by the 1600s.

This chronic infectious disease is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes.

Symptoms of leprosy include:

• Changes in the appearance of the skin, manifesting as raised edges, discoloration or paleness, thickening, hardness, swelling, or numbness;

• Painless sores or wounds on the feet;

• Appearance of red or purple nodules or lumps on the skin;

• Nerve hypertrophy;

• Weakness or paralysis;

• Loss of hair on eyebrows or eyelashes;

• Loss of vision or other eye problems.

Experts do not fully understand how the disease spreads, but it is believed to be transmitted through the air via coughing or sneezing.

According to WHO data, leprosy is diagnosed in 200,000 people worldwide each year. Currently, the disease is treatable, and timely assistance in the early stages can prevent disability.

Additionally, it should be noted that a new strain of the H3N2 flu virus, which raises concerns in the medical community, is currently spreading. This virus, undergoing mutations, has spread to more than 30 countries, posing a threat to public health.