Disease eradicated, the govt had declared in 2005-06.
Even though the government claims that leprosy has been eliminated in the state, the debilitating disease is viciously re- emerging in Mumbai as well as in other parts of Maharashtra.
In 2005-06, Maharashtra had declared that leprosy had been eliminated from the state. According to World Health Organization (WHO) norms, a disease can be declared to be eliminated if its prevalence occurs in one or less than one person in a population of 10,000.
Latest data from the state health department indicates that the prevalence rate of leprosy in Maharashtra has jumped to 1.08 (which means that more than one person in 10,000 are affected by leprosy). In 2010-11, the prevalence rate was 0.93, but cases detected have been on an increase every year, states the data. Also, the number of active cases in Mumbai have shown a rise by over three per cent this year. Active cases are those which are currently on multi-drug therapy (MDT) treatment for treating leprosy.
While there were 709 cases reported in 2011-12 in Mumbai, this number has increased to 733 in 2012-13. “There is a rise in the detected cases of leprosy in certain pockets of Mumbai like Mankhurd and Govandi. Many patients are on long-term medication to prevent nerve damage and deformities caused by the bacterial infection,” said Dr Hemant Joshi, assistant director (leprosy), Directorate of Health Services (DHS).
Leprosy is an air-borne bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium leprae. “The bacteria is lodged in the upper respiratory tract of the human being and spreads through micro droplets to infect others when the person that harbours the bacteria sneezes or coughs,” said Dr Waman Bhatki, executive director of non-profit, Maharashtra Lokhita Seva Mandal.
Experts say the worst-affected districts in the state are Bhandara, Raigad and Gondia where at least 2-3 persons in every 10,000 people are affected by leprosy. While in 2011-12, 12,253 cases of leprosy were under treatment, the number has gone up to 12,262 this year.
“Leprosy has not been eradicated from the state. Every year, newer cases are detected and they have to be dealt with,” said Dr VV Pai, director, Bombay Leprosy Project.
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