1. Dr Paul T Francis, MD Community Medicine College of Medicine, Zawia
Leprosy
Dr Paul T Francis, MD
Community Medicine
College of Medicine, Zawia

2. Leprosy Is a chronic disease caused by M leprae
Leprosy is still prevalent in many parts of the world, especially in the poor developing countries
Leprosy is a very rare disease in Libya

3. Tuberculosis and Leprosy cases, Libya 1972-2005TB
Leprosy

6. Epidemiological factors
Agent – M leprae
Reservoir of infection – man
Portal of exit – nose, upper respiratory tract and skin
Host factors
Can occur in any age

7. Epidemiological factors
Environmental factors – seen more in hot humid climate
Social factors – more common in poor socio-economic class
Mode of transmission
Direct and indirect contact
Droplet infection (of respiratory secretions)
Incubation period – few months to few years

8. Leprosy patient who has lost most of the fingers holding flowers

9. A leprosy patient

10. Leprosy lesions on the back

11. Prevention and control
Primary prevention
Improvement in socio-economic status
Avoiding close contact with leprosy patients
Secondary prevention
Early diagnosis and treatment

12. Leprosy control strategy in Libya
Early detection of cases
Contact tracing – examine all persons who have come in contact with a leprosy patient
Survey of certain high risk groups
Mass survey
Notification
The detected cases are notified/informed to the Ministry of Health

13. Leprosy control strategy in Libya
Chemotherapy – MultiDrug therapy (MDT)
Follow-up – It is important to make sure that the patient takes the drug for the entire period of treatment. The patient is examined once every 3 months
Other measures
Improving living conditions
Health education
Rehabilitation of patients who have severe damage to limbs, nerves etc.