Leprosy: Is the comeback of an age-old disease possible in France?

Leprosy, like the plague, may be one of the world’s oldest diseases and has existed for thousands of years, but it still hasn’t been eradicated. If in Europe it has not constituted a public health problem since the 2000s, it is still prevalent elsewhere in the world, in the countries of the southern hemisphere, but also increasingly in the United States. every year, 200,000 new cases Leprosy is found. the disease Hits one person every 3 minutes in 145 countries. Doctor Christian Johnson, An expert with the WHO and medical director of the Raoul Folreau Foundation, answers Consider the main hypothesis which surrounds this disease.

Has leprosy really disappeared in France?

Dr Johnson: “No, actually, in mainland France, About ten new cases Leprosy is reported every year. Overseas, this is 30 to 40 cases per year. which meansfifty Cases of leprosy are reported every year in the country. Most come from foreign travelers who live in areas where the disease is highly prevalent. India, Indonesia and Brazil is at the root of 80% of cases Diagnosed every year. In Africa, where the Raoul Follereau Foundation operates, there are also many sick people, for example in Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Chad, etc. It is a disease that mainly affects the marginal, rural and poor population since ancient times. “

Is leprosy contagious?

Dr. Johnson: “Leprosy or Hansen’s disease is a chronic infection caused by bacteria. Mycobacterium leprae. she Not very contagiousBut some patients have billions of bacilli in their bodies, and spread the disease when they speak, breathe, through droplets that spread through aerosols. Those who inhale these droplets that contain germs can become infected. You usually need to be Many months off, long contact with an untreated person for transmission of the disease. Once the patient is treated, and that too First doseHe has more than that 80% less chance of disease transmission. But the problem is that we do not always detect the infection in time. Because leprosy is characteristic Very slow incubationAnd the first symptoms may appear One year, three years, six years after contamination. In the meantime, the patient may contaminate those around him.”

Is it easy to identify a leprosy patient?

Dr. Johnson: “The disease is seen by the first A spot on the skin connected with Destruction of nerve endings. This stain is insensitive: it is consequentialSensitivity test So that the presence of the disease can be established. At this point, it’s good news becauseEffective and available treatment exists. However, if left untreated, this can be responsible for the disease Irreversible deformity of eyes, hands and feet. At this point, the patient can be treated surgically, but will need to be helped to reintegrate socially with this disability. Today, patients facesocial exclusion. Raul Follero said: “In order to truly free lepers from leprosy, healthy people must be cured of the absurd fear of these sick people, these social outcasts, these outcasts, these demons.”

But for people living in remote areas, who have to use public transport, travel long distances to get care and spend money before getting treatment, it is Complex to get tested. Some populations first approach a traditional healer because they believe they have suffered a spell, which delays their treatment and exacerbates the illness. Consequently, they Every year 10,000 people become disabled for life. Mu Gentle or in Ivory CoastThese represent severe cases 25% of patients. However, this Thursday, January 18, we received good news from the teams on the ground in Ivory Coast: it isA little girl of 6 years, with a spot on the face, which was successfully detected. We are very happy because this is a little girl preserved, it will not be distorted and can be recovered. That’s why the foundation does everything to build mobile teams that go on site.”

Is there a vaccine against leprosy?

Dr. Johnson: “There’s no vaccine for leprosy, but we’re funding research going on in Brazil at the preliminary stage. However, there is Treatment implemented since 1982 and who is Always effective. This is a polychemotherapy, i.e. combination Three antibiotics (dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine) which lay 6 to 12 months to act. Generalization of treatment made cure possible 16 million people in the world.”

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