30 new leprosy cases detected in Dakshina Kannada

In all, 30 new leprosy cases were detected in Dakshina Kannada between April and December, 2024. The Department of Health and Family Welfare will launch the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign in the district from January 30 to February 13, 2025, to prevent its spread, C. M. Sudarshan, District Leprosy Officer, said in Mangaluru on Tuesday.

In all, 30 new leprosy cases were detected in Dakshina Kannada between April and December, 2024. The Department of Health and Family Welfare will launch the Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign in the district from January 30 to February 13, 2025, to prevent its spread, C.M. Sudarshan, District Leprosy Officer, said in Mangaluru on Tuesday.

Addressing presspersons, he said that the new cases detected are in preliminary stages with the victims exhibiting skin patches but not any physical deformity.

Dr. Sudarshan said that 16 of 30 persons – in the age group of 30 to 50 years – are from outside Dakshina Kannada, including from other districts of Karnataka and outside the State. No Grade II cases, or those with physical deformity were found during the nine months of the current financial year, he said.

Presently, 72 persons are under treatment for leprosy in the district. The first stage of treatment covers six months and the second stage involves a year, Dr. Sudarshan said. He said that skin check up camps will be set up at 10 places in the district during the campaign. New cases were found in the surroundings of those places.

The camps will be conducted at Government Pre-University College, Vitla; Olavina Halli Ashrama, Kotekar; Vidyajyothi School, Kunjathbail; Govt. Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru; Narayana Sanil School, Haleyangady; District Prison, Mangaluru; Cambridge School, Padil; Father Muller Hospital, Kankanady; Bharati Seva Ashrama, Kanyana and Centre for Destitutes, Vamanjoor.

No new cases were found in Sullia, Puttur and Belthangady taluks, he added.

Leprosy is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae.