According to Reuters
In Romania, two cases of leprosy have been confirmed – the first infections with this disease in the country in over 40 years. The information was provided by the Romanian Ministry of Health. The cases involve two masseuses aged 21 and 25 – Indonesian citizens who worked at a spa in Cluj-Napoca in the northwest of the country.
Both have been hospitalized and are being treated; two more people are being tested for possible infection.
The Ministry of Health stated that spa visitors should not worry, as leprosy is transmitted only through prolonged and close contact. According to Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete, one of the infected recently returned from Asia, where she spent a month with her mother, who is currently undergoing treatment for the same disease.
Local authorities temporarily closed the spa until the epidemiological investigation is completed. The ministry noted that the previous confirmed case of leprosy in Romania was recorded 44 years ago.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a bacterial disease that affects the skin and the nervous system and is curable with modern treatments.
Explanation and Context
According to official sources, the infection spreads slowly and usually requires prolonged contact. Doctors emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and adherence to sanitary and epidemiological guidelines in facilities such as spa salons. The disease responds well to modern antibiotic therapy, which significantly reduces the risks of complications and further spread of the infection.