La Union conducts case-finding on Leprosy

June 9, 2019 Headlines

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, La Union – The Municipal Health Office (MHO) of Aringay, La Union requested the technical assistance of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in the conduct of an active case finding of Leprosy in Barangay San Antonio in Aringay on May 29, 2019 to reveal hidden cases, improve reporting, and enhance data collection and to identify leprosy case missed by recent detection efforts.
A case presented itself during the case-finding operations wherein a visual inspection of a male, 66 years old, positive patient revealed the appearance of skin lesions that are lighter than his normal skin, has redness, drooping eyelids and difficulty of closing his left eye, with deformities on upper and lower extremities including buttocks.
The subject can still flex his hands, raise his feet, and still exhibited strong movements. The patient voluntarily answered questions with the help of his son. Examination of household contact of four members had also been done and results turned out negative.
Since the condition of the patient hindered him to travel for consultation, the MHO decided and ordered the midwife to bring the medications into their home for immediate treatment.
The patient was classified as New Case of Multibacillary (MB) Leprosy and resulted to PHO coordinating with the Department of Health for additional medicines.
Continuous treatment should be maintained for the MB leprosy patient in order to prevent the spread to his family members and community.
The patient and family members were also counseled about leprosy. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease (HD), is a long-term infection by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Initially, a person who is infected does not have symptoms and typically remains this way for 5 to 20 years.
Symptoms that develop include granulomas of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. This may result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of extremities due to repeated injuries or infection due to unnoticed wounds. Weakness and poor eyesight may also be present.

Renerose A. Beninsig, GPC-PHO/ABN