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romania The first confirmed case of leprosy in more than 40 years has been recorded.
European Union The state said it had found two masseuses infected with the disease at a spa in the northwestern city of Cluj.
The Health Ministry said two more people were being tested, and two confirmed cases – both Indonesian citizens aged 21 and 25 – were being treated.
Health Minister Alexandru Rogobate said customers at spas should not worry, as the disease requires prolonged contact to spread.
symptoms of leprosy
Who
The disease usually manifests through skin lesions and peripheral nerve involvement.
Leprosy is diagnosed by finding at least one of the following symptoms:
- Definite loss of sensation in patches of pale (hypopigmented) or red skin
- thickening or enlargement of a peripheral nerve, accompanied by loss of sensation and/or weakness of the muscles supplied by that nerve
- Microscopic detection of bacilli in a slit-skin smear
State news agency Agerpress quoted Rogobete as saying that one of the patients had recently returned from Asia, where she had spent a month with her mother, who was currently in hospital with the same disease.
Health officials said authorities have closed the spa pending an investigation.
The last confirmed case of leprosy in Romania – also known as Hansen’s disease – was detected 44 years ago, the ministry said.