St Vincent increases surveillance for cases of leprosy

The Ministry of Well being has elevated surveillance for Hansen’s illness also called leprosy, all through St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In a press release on Tuesday, the ministry additionally stated that it’s carefully monitoring the scenario in neighbouring international locations, which have recorded circumstances of the illness.

In accordance with officers, the nation has recorded just one case of leprosy since 2018, nevertheless, that case was efficiently managed and the particular person resides a traditional life.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines has not seen any new circumstances of leprosy for the interval 2022 – January fifteenth 2024,” the ministry of well being said.

Leprosy is an an infection brought on by a slow-growing micro organism. The leprosy micro organism might be unfold when an individual with leprosy coughs or sneezes, and another person breathes within the droplets containing the micro organism repeatedly, over a protracted time frame.

Leprosy can even have an effect on the nerves, pores and skin, eyes, and lining of the nostril.

“With early analysis and therapy, the illness might be cured. It’s essential to notice that folks with leprosy illness can proceed to work and dwell an lively life throughout and after therapy,” the Ministry of Well being stated.

“Whereas Leprosy was as soon as feared to be a extremely contagious and devastating illness, the Ministry wish to reassure the general public that leprosy doesn’t unfold simply and therapy could be very efficient. Nonetheless, if left untreated, the nerve injury related to leprosy can lead to deformities of arms and toes, paralysis, and blindness,” the ministry additional said.

“The Ministry takes this time to encourage Vincentians to proceed to take all the standard precautionary measures in opposition to respiratory infections resembling masking mouths and nostrils when coughing and washing arms continuously.”