Mumbai has seen plateauing in leprosy cases for almost a decade now. The detections remained between 400-500 over the years.
New Delhi: There has been a significant rise in the number of leprosy cases in Mumbai after a two-year slouch due to covid as the health screenings reduced.
Proportions of advanced multibacillary leprosy have also increased in the new detections, as per the new civic body data.
According to the official figures by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), almost 8,000 suspected cases have been detected since the last fortnight. The figures become more alarming as 286 confirmed cases have already been detected in routine check-ups conducted this year.
“We have detected 67 confirmed leprosy cases compared to 52 cases in 2021 and 38 in 2020. Of the total cases detected during the special drive, 40 cases were of multibacillary (MB) leprosy and 27 of paucibacillary (PB) leprosy. 9 cases were detected in children and 6 cases with grade 2 deformity were found,” BMC had said in a statement.
Mumbai has seen plateauing in leprosy cases for almost a decade now. The detections remained between 400-500 over the years.
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It affects the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured. People with Hansen’s disease can continue to work and lead an active life during and after treatment.
While it is not exactly known how people get the disease, scientists believe that it spreads when a person coughs or sneezes, and a healthy person breathes in the droplets containing the bacteria.
Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease.
Due to the slow-growing nature of the bacteria and the long time it takes to develop signs of the disease, it is often very difficult to find the source of infection.
