Dhaka: Three-year-old Rabbi experienced a severe fever in March last year and was admitted to Ramu upazila health complex in Cox's Bazar district. After two weeks, she was released, only to later be diagnosed with leprosy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. This disease primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. A Contact Cohorts Analysis (COCOA) study conducted in four districts of north-western Bangladesh found that leprosy can be transmitted from an infected person to another for sharing the same home, albeit to a lesser extent. The study, led by Dr. Cynthia Ruth Butlin of The Leprosy Mission England and Wales, reviewed over 20 years of leprosy-related information in Bangladesh.
The report, which appeared on The Leprosy Mission International (TLMI) website, stated that individuals who share a home with someone affected by leprosy have a higher risk of infection than other community members. As a result, TLMI is adjusting its leprosy-related activities in Bangladesh, including implementing regular follow-up calls to diagnose and treat leprosy at earlier stages, thus reducing transmission risks.
The national leprosy control reports indicate a decline in leprosy prevalence, from 4.57/10000 cases in 1995 to 0.74/10000 in 2017. Health experts stress that leprosy is curable with multi-drug therapy under medical guidance. Researchers urge immediate awareness and social movement initiatives to create a leprosy-free society.
The TLMI report highlights that patients undergoing Multi Drug Therapy (MDT) treatment cease to be infectious within 72 hours. It also suggests educating the public on leprosy's early signs and symptoms and addressing misconceptions. Annual re-examinations and prioritizing MB index households over PB index households are recommended to detect the maximum number of new cases.