Well being officers in Barbados have reassured the general public to not panic following the affirmation of a leprosy case on the island.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr. Arthur Phillips, in an replace with Barbados Right this moment, knowledgeable that the affected person is presently present process therapy, with only a month or two left of their routine.
Dr. Phillips highlighted that that is an remoted case, and the scenario is underneath management..
The disclosure in regards to the ongoing therapy emerged in response to a question from Barbados TODAY searching for clarification on the nation’s leprosy standing. This inquiry was prompted by St Lucia reporting 11 new leprosy circumstances, signaling a 120% improve from 2020 to 2023.
In response to those developments, well being authorities in Barbados have devised a nationwide plan geared toward eliminating leprosy from the island. It’s noteworthy that leprosy, as soon as a major concern in Barbados a century in the past, necessitated the isolation of victims in a devoted leper colony.
What’s leprosy?
Leprosy, also referred to as Hansen’s illness, is a persistent infectious illness attributable to the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily impacts the pores and skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the higher respiratory tract, and the eyes. Leprosy is a slow-developing illness, and its signs might take years to seem.

The illness is thought for inflicting pores and skin lesions, nerve harm, and deformities if left untreated. It’s not very contagious, and transmission is believed to happen via extended, shut contact with untreated people. Leprosy may be successfully handled with multi-drug remedy, and early analysis and therapy can stop the event of extreme issues.
Traditionally, leprosy has been related to social stigma because of the seen disfigurement it will possibly trigger. Nonetheless, with developments in medical understanding and therapy, the stigma surrounding leprosy has diminished. Many international locations, together with Barbados, have carried out efforts to remove leprosy and supply correct medical care to these affected.
In keeping with the World Health Organization (WHO), the final recorded case of leprosy in Barbados was in 2022.