Two cases of leprosy have been detected in the Romanian city of Cluj, in Indonesian women aged 21 and 25, one of whom recently returned from a trip to Asia. Both worked as masseuses at a spa in the city of Cluj.
Romanian Health Minister Alesandro Rogobete assured that the risk of infection for the institution's clients is minimal, as the disease is transmitted only through prolonged contact with an infected person. The last confirmed case of leprosy in the country was recorded 44 years ago.
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. Symptoms include skin changes (discoloration, thickening, nodules), painless ulcers on the feet, nerve hypertrophy, weakness or paralysis, loss of hair on the eyebrows and eyelashes, and vision problems.
Historically, leprosy first appeared on the Indian subcontinent and spread to Europe via trade routes. By 1200, there were about 19,000 leprosy hospitals in Europe. The incidence began to decline in the 1400s and had almost disappeared from most European countries by the 1600s.
According to WHO, about 200,000 people are diagnosed with leprosy worldwide each year. Modern treatment methods are effective, and timely medical care can prevent disability.
