Cuba: leprosy cases in Las Tunas

Last year Cuban health authorities reported six leprosy cases in Las Tunas province. This year, the disease seems more prevalent in the province, with several active cases in southern areas. However, Martha Odalis Cabrales Leon, who coordinates the local Leprosy Control Program, said that the disease does not represent a major health issue. According to Cabrales Leon, the reported patients continue to work and receive proper treatment with antibiotics. Primary healthcare teams supervise them and are responsible for their well-being. Authorities are conducting screenings to help eradicate the disease. Cabrales Leon remarked that leprosy affects both genders and that several cases detected in Las Tunas in the last five years were children, showing symptoms like dark spots and nodules on the neck. If not diagnosed and treated early, the disease can cause permanent damage to the skin, peripheral nerves, and eyes. Once treated, however, it ceases to be contagious.
In 2016, Cuba reported 186 leprosy cases and each year diagnoses over 100 new cases. Patients are under community supervision and receive free antibiotic treatment from local healthcare teams.