Over 500 people in seven districts in Malawi infected by Leprosy, a disease that was thought to be extinguished reports local media
“As government, we are doing all we can to contain the disease but we are now overwhelmed, we need assistance from our development partners” Leonard Mawaya, Program manager for the Department of Leprosy and Skin Diseases at the Ministry of Health speaking to Nyasa Times
The Ministry of Health has blamed the resurgence of the disease to ignorance after the disease was thought to be gone leading to the cut in funding.
Leprosy is a skin disease caused by bacteria. It is contagious, being able to be transmitted to the next person through sneezing and coughing. The disease is now treatable. A multi-drug regimen recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) makes infected people unable to transmit after just one dose. If it goes untreated, the disease causes disfiguring and brings health complications such as loss of touch, permanent nerve damage and muscle weakness.
According to Nyasa Times, skin disease specialist met in Malawi recently in response to the escalating leprosy but agreed that the disease can contained within two years if there is funding.
