Leprosy - Majority of patients reported from Moratuwa area

The fact that many do not get treated at the initial stage is dangerous as the disease can spread more and the patient can be in a serious condition when it is finally diagnosed. Little bumps that did not hurt is the initial symptom of the disease

Forty two percent of the Leprosy patients found in the country were from the Western Province, Director of the National Leprosy Prevention Programme, Dr. Priyantha Karunarathne said.

Speaking at the Moratuwa District Committee meeting Dr. Karunarathne stated that 1,890 patients were reported across the country each year, 780 of whom were reported from the Western Province.

“A majority of the 780 reported from the Western Province are reported from the Moratuwa area,” he stated.

Speaking of the prevalence of the disease, Dr. Karunarathne explained that it was completely curable if the patients were to take their medication for two consecutive years.

Many patients were prison inmates who were infected while they were imprisoned. Authorities took measures to treat them while in prison but many neglected their medication once released which in turn saw the disease in the public sphere as well.

The disease contracted through respiratory infections, reported 165 child patients last year, Dr. Karunarathne said.

“The fact that many do not get treated at the initial stage is dangerous as the disease can spread more and the patient can be in a serious condition when it is finally diagnosed. Little bumps that did not hurt is the initial symptom of the disease,” he said.

The spread of the disease could be halted if the awareness was raised among the public to take the necessary preventive measures and treatment if infected. The disease was prevalent in the Northern, Uva, Southern and Central Provinces as well.