Rukungiri district has confirmed an outbreak of Leprosy in the sub-counties of Nyakagyeme and Ruhinda.
Hansen’s disease also known as leprosy is an infectious disease caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It can affect nerves, skin, eyes, and the lining of the nose causing severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around the body.
Dr Cornelius Musinguzi Rukungiri district TB and Leprosy focal person says that their district has so far registered three new leprosy cases from the sub-counties Nyakagyeme and Ruhinda since 2014 when they last registered a case.
Musinguzi asked people to report any person they see with disfiguring skin sores, muscle weakness and lumps or bumps that don’t go away after several weeks or months to the nearest health center for proper treatment noting that with early diagnosis and treatment leprosy can be cured.
He further advised victims of leprosy to wear face masks to prevent unaffected people from getting in contact with their droplets from nasal and other secretions.
He also asked health workers attending to people suffering from leprosy to put on hand gloves. #leprosy
