HSE urged to offer leprosy guidance after case in Ireland
Briefly

A report by HSE South-West discusses a leprosy case in Ireland, the country's first in a decade, noting issues with contact tracing and stigma. Despite being curable, fears and societal judgment prevent individuals from seeking treatment, increasing infection risks. The infected individual, originally from a Caribbean nation where leprosy is endemic, had symptoms before their diagnosis in 2024. The absence of specific national and EU guidelines complicates proper public health responses to similar cases, emphasizing the need for concrete protocols in management and support.
Leprosy, despite being curable, still carries a significant stigma that can obstruct individuals from seeking diagnosis and treatment, complicating public health efforts.
The report by HSE South-West highlights the absence of specific guidelines in managing leprosy cases, which poses challenges in contact tracing and public health assessments.
Read at Irish Independent
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