Close Menu
Asberth News Network
    Facebook Instagram
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Download App
    Facebook Instagram
    Asberth News Network
    • Home
    • Latest News
    • Breaking News
    • Local News
    • Regional/International News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Back to School
    Asberth News Network
    Home»News»Regional/International News»St Lucia Confirms New Cases Of Leprosy
    Regional/International News

    St Lucia Confirms New Cases Of Leprosy

    January 29, 2024No Comments3 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Telegram WhatsApp
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    CMC – St Lucia has registered new cases of leprosy so far this year, after recording 11cases last year, health officials have confirmed.

    In a message to mark World Leprosy Day on Sunday, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, said that “leprosy is not an illness of the past, it still affects millions of persons around the world and scores of St Lucians today.

    “In 2023 the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs registered 11 new cases and at the start of 2024 has already diagnosed new cases. This infection may be transmitted mainly through droplets from the nose , without indicating the number of cases diagnosed so far this year.

    It warned that leprosy has a long incubation period, on average, at least five years and that “ means someone could be infected with leprosy but not show any signs lesions on the body or symptoms loss of feeling and decreased sweating in the lesions for up to five years”.

    The ministry said the stigma associated with leprosy is real, noting for example, “we would not want to sit next to a person that we think has leprosy on a bus because we are afraid that we may catch it from them.

    “Leprosy appears to affect men and other persons who live with or have prolonged contact with untreated persons with leprosy. This year we intend to introduce treatment for persons who have had close contact with someone with leprosy.”

    The ministry said that this medication will help in reducing the chances of getting leprosy, adding that one single dose of Rifampicin can lower the possibility of you getting Leprosy if you have been in close contact with an infected person.

    The ministry is urging St Lucians “to take a close look “ at themselves and family members, adding “if you see a light coloured spot with decreased sensation or feeling, or getting non- healing recurrent burns and ulcers to the hands and feet, please visit your nearest health care facility.

    “Let us all join hands to end the stigma associated with leprosy and promote the dignity of people affected by the disease. Together we can make a difference,” it added.

    World Leprosy Day is held annually on the last Sunday of January. The day aims to raise awareness about leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.

    World Leprosy Day is being held under the theme “Ending Stigma, Embracing Dignity”.

    Leprosy is a chronic disease which affects the skin, nerves and eyes and is caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium Leprae). Leprosy is curable using a combination of drugs which are available free of charge within the public health system

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email

    Related Posts

    St Lucia PM  Announces VAT Removal on Select Food Items by July 1

    May 20, 2025

    US forges ahead with 104% tariffs on China, says willing to talk to other countries

    April 8, 2025

    Trinidad Prime Minister calls   Election – April 28th,2025

    March 18, 2025

    CARPHA Strengthens Regional Laboratory Network with Key Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago

    August 17, 2024
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    • Home
    • Latest News
    • Breaking News
    • Local News
    • Regional/International News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Back to School
    Our Socials
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    ANN

    Asbert News Network is the premier destination for local, regional and international news in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s tomorrow’s news today.

    © 2025 Asbert News Network
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Download App

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.