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It is a pathology that has been forgotten in the West because it has been relegated to the status of an ancient, medieval disease. Yet it still rages and destroys lives. Here’s what you probably didn’t know about leprosy:
Like the plague, leprosy is one of the oldest diseases in the world and has existed for thousands of years, but it has still not been eradicated. Although it has no longer been a public health problem in Europe since the 2000s, it is still widespread in other parts of the world, in the countries of the southern hemisphere but also increasingly in the United States. Each year, 200,000 new cases Leprosy is detected. Illness hits one person every 3 minutes in 145 countries. The doctor Christian Johnson, WHO expert and medical director of the Raoul Follereau Foundation, responds to most important preconceptions that remain associated with this disease.
Has leprosy really disappeared in France?
Dr. Johnson: “No, in reality, in mainland France, around ten new cases Leprosy is reported every year. This is the case overseas 30 to 40 cases per year. Which means, thatfifty Cases of leprosy occur in the country every year. Most come from foreign travelers living in areas where the disease is common. India, Indonesia and Brazil are the origin of 80% of cases diagnosed every year. There are also many sick people in Africa, where the Raoul Follereau Foundation works, for example in Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Chad, etc. It is a disease that has primarily affected marginalized, rural and poor population groups since ancient times . “
Are lepers contagious?
Dr. Johnson: “Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a chronic infection caused by bacteria.” Mycobacterium leprae. she is not very contagiousbut some patients harbor billions of bacilli in their bodies and transmit the disease when they speak, breathe, via droplets that spread through aerosols. Anyone who inhales these germ-containing droplets can become infected. In general, you have to be close, prolonged contact over several months lead to infection of the disease in an untreated person. Once the patient is treated, and even out first dosehe has more than 80% lower risk of disease transmission. The problem, however, is that we cannot always detect the infection in time. Leprosy is characterized by very slow incubationand the first symptoms may appear one year, three years, six years after contamination. In the meantime, the patient can infect those around him.”
Is it easy to recognize a leper patient?
Dr. Johnson: “The disease comes first.” a spot on the skin linked to the Destruction of nerve endings. This spot is insensitive: that’s whya sensitivity test that the presence of the disease can be diagnosed. At this point it’s good news becauseeffective and available treatment exist. However, if left untreated, the disease can be responsible irreversible deformations of the eyes, hands and feet. At this point the patient can be operated on, but must be helped to reintegrate into society with this disability. Nowadays patients are facing the problemsocial exclusion. Raoul Follereau said: “In order for lepers to be truly freed from leprosy, the healthy must be cured of the absurd fear they have of these sick people, these social excommunicates, these banished people, these monsters.”
But for people who live in remote areas, use public transportation, have to travel long distances to access medical care, and have to spend money before receiving treatment, this is the case complicated to get tested. Some populations initially turn to a traditional healer because they believe they have been bewitched, which delays their treatment and worsens the disease. Hence these are Every year 10,000 people become disabled for life. Ow Benign or in Ivory Coastrepresent these serious cases 25% of patients. However, this Thursday, January 18th, we received good news from the teams on the ground in Ivory Coast: This is ita 6 year old little girl, with a spot on the face that was successfully detected. We are very happy because this little girl is Rescued, it will not be disfigured and can be restored. That’s why the foundation is doing everything it can to form mobile teams that are on site.”
Is there a vaccine against leprosy?
Dr. Johnson: “There is no vaccine for leprosy, but we are funding ongoing early-stage research in Brazil. However, there is one.” A treatment that has been carried out since 1982 and who is always effective. This is polychemotherapy, i.e. a combination three antibiotics (Dapsone, Rifampicin and Clofazimine), which means 6 to 12 months to take effect. Generalization of treatment made possible a cure 16 million people in the world.”
You may also be interested in:
⋙ A new discovery reveals the secrets of the plague’s appearance
⋙ Plague, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis: Do we still have to fear them in France?
⋙ What year was leprosy discovered?
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