Nepalese worker in Croatia has been diagnosed with leprosy

A foreign national working in Croatia has been diagnosed with leprosy, the first recorded case of the infectious disease in Croatia in three decades. The infection was diagnosed in a Nepalese worker at Split Clinical Hospital, where he is being treated.

In spite of the fact that the vast majority of the staff at Split Clinical Hospital had never seen a case of leprosy they immediately recognized the disease, which according to the head of the infectious diseases ward Dr. Mirela Pavičić Ivelja, is not easy to diagnose: “The changes are most often found on the skin, and they are not very specific such as pale patches, so sometimes it is difficult to assess. However, when you know that the person in question comes from a region where the disease is more prevalent, then infectologists bear that in mind. Immediately after making a diagnosis, we initiated the prescribed oral antibiotic therapy. In today's day and age this is a curable disease through a regiment of antibiotics over a span of several months. However, the threat of contagion in the infected person stops not long after the patient begins this therapy.”

Epidemiologist Dr. Bernard Kaić says that there is no reason for concern among citizens regarding the possible spread of the disease: “No, there's no reason for concern, because we don't have high numbers of people coming in with the disease, or a bunch of people walking around carrying the disease that we are unaware of and in that way posing a threat to others. Additionally, leprosy is not very contagious, it requires quite extensive contact. So, one or two cases, which can enter the country at any time, there is absolutely no health risk.”

However, as a precautionary measure, all of the foreign worker's contacts are being continuously monitored by epidemiologists.

Health Minister Irena Hrstić also commented on the case for Croatian Radio on Sunday, saying that there is no threat to public health and that the medical staff at Split Clinical Hospital handled the diagnosis and subsequent treatment in line with public health standards. She also commented on recent calls for legislative changes that will require foreign workers to provide proof of their vaccination status: “The rules outlining the conditions that are necessary for proving ones actual health status and vaccination status are being changed. So, consultations on amending the rules are currently underway and should be completed in a day or two, after which it will take effect. This is what is changing for those who are coming to Croatia, while foreign workers who have been here for some time now, will have to undergo additional check-ups to establish their current health status”

Source: HRT