DOH identifies 11 leprosy-free towns in Iloilo
The Department of Health (DOH) regional office based here in this city has identified recently the eleven municipalities in the province of Iloilo declared as leprosy-free.
The eleven municipalities include Guimbal, San Miguel, Alimodian, Zarraga, Banate, Tubungan, San Rafael, Mina, Carles, Balasan and Lemery.
The said municipalities were declared leprosy-free, according to the DOH, when it registered no new cases for the last three years, specifically from year 2003 to 2006.
Leprosy is a chronic, communicable disease caused by infection from Mycobacterium leprae. Also, known as Hansen's disease, it is transmitted through nasal and oral secretions of untreated lepers.
The disease primarily affects the skin, the mucous membranes, especially those in the nose and the peripheral nervous system. If left untreated, it can result in deformity and disability.
"In many societies people with leprosy have been made outcasts from their communities", said the DOH press report.
Data from the DOH revealed that In 1986 when the National Leprosy Control Program was established there were 38,570 registered leprosy patients in the country and a prevalence rate (PR) of 7.2 per 10,000 Filipinos. By the end of 1998, with 7,005 registered patients and a prevalence rate of 0.90 per 10,000 population, leprosy was no longer considered as a public health problem by both the DOH and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Leprosy cases further reduced in 2004 to 3,149 and a PR of 0.38 per 10,000 population. From January 1 to December 31, 2004, a total of 2,120 new cases of leprosy were diagnosed and all were put under treatment with Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) for free.
DOH said MDT is a fast and right remedy for leprosy, if taken according to doctor's advice. For whoever undergoes medication with MDT is no longer contagious and can continue medication at home.
(PIA)