The Department of Health has warned the public of the possible spread in Oriental Negros of leprosy, a highly contagious skin disease, after noting an increase in the number of cases in the province for the past years.

A press release from Dr. Joanri Riveral, assistant regional leprosy coordinator in Central Visayas, said that, as of January 2007, Oriental Negros has 19 reported leprosy cases compared to the 11 reported last year. Riveral said he believes the actual number could be higher than what has been reported.

Leprosy is a disease that mainly affects the skin, eyes and mucusa of the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by "mycrobacterium leprae", an acid-fast bacilli affecting all ages and both sexes.

It can be detected through the presence of a skin lesion characterized by loss of sensation, and weakness of muscles in the hands, feet or face, the press release said. Leprosy patients can be treated like tuberculosis patients with no isolation needed unless treatment is administered at an early stage, which can last for a week to six months from mild to severe cases, Riveral said.

He encouraged those possible patients to visit the health center so proper test can be done.*RG

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