A terrible disease has returned to Europe — leprosy

Leprosy, a disease that seemed to be a thing of the past, is returning to Europe. Confirmed cases have already been recorded in Romania and Croatia. Gives details Profit.Ro .

In Romania, 44 years after the last reported case in 1981, health authorities have confirmed four suspected cases of the disease, all of which concern workers of Asian origin employed in a massage parlor in Cluj-Napoca. Meanwhile, Croatia reported a single case of the disease in a Nepalese citizen who has been living in the country for two years.

Despite the initial alarm, the Ministries of Health of both countries emphasize that there is no danger for the general population, since the disease has a low contagiousness, and intervention protocols have been promptly implemented. Romanian Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete confirmed on Friday, December 12, the presence of a confirmed case of the disease, while three more cases are at the stage of clinical and microbiological examination.

The authorities immediately ordered the temporary closure of the massage parlor until the completion of the ongoing epidemiological investigation. Minister Rogobete reassured the public, explaining that after the start of treatment, the risk of transmission of infection gradually decreases until it disappears, in accordance with international protocols. Leprosy, in fact, has limited contagiousness and requires long-term contact for transmission, since it cannot spread through short-term contact or simple use of common premises. The cabin was thoroughly sanitized, all employees underwent a medical examination, and the epidemiological investigation was expanded to identify any other contact persons at risk.