Akola. A total of 78 new cases of leprosy have been reported in Akola district during the last one year. Similarly, 95 patients have been cured of leprosy during the year. Dr. Kamlesh Bhandari, Assistant Director of Leprosy Department has given this information. Giving detailed information, he said that it is a slowly spreading bacterial disease. It affects the skin, peripheral nerves in the hands and feet, lining of the nose, throat and eyes. Due to the effect on the nerve endings, the sensation of that part is lost.
Due to loss of sensation, the toes bend or fall. This disease mainly affects the hands and feet. Infection with this bacterium causes abnormal changes in the skin. This change is called distortion. These areas of skin are extremely shaped and characteristic. Their edges appear darker and the center lighter.
This Mycobacterium leprae bacterium grows at low temperatures. It grows in the skin, dermis and nerves. Loss of sensation in the hands and toes increases the risk of injury. Injuries cause bacteria to grow in the wound and open wounds lead to gangrene, which kills the tissue. Due to this the organs become deformed. Dr. Kamlesh Bhandari told that, although this disease is serious in appearance, with regular treatment, the disease is completely cured.
78 new leprosy patients in the district
Free treatment of leprosy is available in the sub-district hospital, Murtijapur, all rural hospitals and primary health centers in Akola district. Presently 78 new and 11 old leprosy patients are being treated in various health centers of the district. In this, maximum 27 patients are in Akola tehsil. After this there are 12 patients in Mutijapur tehsil, 9 in Barshitakali, Akot 7, Balapur 6, Patur 8 and 9 in Telhara tehsil. Similarly, among the old patients, 6 of Akola tehsil, Telhara 2, 1 each in Akot, Murtijapur and Patur are 11 such patients. There are 46 infectious patients in the district and the disease has been detected in two patients.
Leprosy is completely cured – Dr. Kamlesh Bhandari
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the skin, especially the nasal mucosa, as well as the nerves connecting the spinal cord and muscles. The increasing severity of the disease can also affect the eyes, liver, spleen, muscles and bone marrow. The first symptom of leprosy is numbness of the skin.
The shortest form of its treatment is MDT (Multi drug therapy). Depending on the type of leprosy, the treatment takes from six months to two years. Leprosy is completely cured by regular treatment, so treatment should be given as soon as the symptoms of the disease appear.-Dr. Kamlesh Bhandari, Assistant Director, Department of Leprosy, Akola.