[Asia Economy Reporter Byeon Seon-jin] The 29th is designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'World Leprosy Day.' Leprosy is a disease caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacterium, which undergoes a latent period ranging from several years to decades, deforming the skin, peripheral nervous system, and mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms include numbness or hypersensitivity of the skin and muscle atrophy.
WHO designates the last Sunday of January each year as World Leprosy Day. This year's theme is 'Act Now: End Leprosy,' aiming to raise public awareness about leprosy and urge countries to intensify efforts to eradicate the disease.
According to WHO, 140,594 new leprosy cases were reported worldwide last year. Of these, 66.5% (93,485 cases) were reported in Southeast Asian regions such as India and Indonesia.
'Sorokdo Guratap,' depicting Archangel Michael exterminating the Hansen's disease bacteria
In South Korea, single-digit new cases have been maintained since 2008. There were 7 cases in 2008, 5 in 2012, 6 in 2018, and 2 cases reported last year. The incidence rate is 0.02 cases per 10,000 people, which corresponds to the level of developed countries, but cases continue to appear. In particular, the proportion of new foreign cases imported from Southeast Asia and other regions has been increasing recently, necessitating preparedness.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) considers early detection and treatment of new foreign cases crucial to ending leprosy and plans to strengthen leprosy screening programs targeting foreigners. This year, in cooperation with regional foreigner support centers, a pilot project for free leprosy screening and consultation for foreigners will be implemented. Screening programs will be conducted mainly in the Seoul metropolitan area, where many foreign workers from major leprosy-endemic countries reside, with plans to gradually expand the regions and target groups.
Additionally, to prepare for cases where medical staff may miss or delay leprosy diagnosis due to reduced opportunities for leprosy treatment as new cases decrease, schematized leprosy diagnostic cases will be distributed to frontline medical institutions such as dermatology and neurology departments.
KDCA urged that when foreigners from major endemic countries visit medical institutions with typical suspicious symptoms such as rash, papules, or nodules, leprosy diagnosis should be requested from specialized testing institutions such as the Korea Hansen Welfare Association.
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