site.btaCase of Leprosy Confirmed in Croatia

A case of leprosy has been recorded in Croatia for the first time in over 30 years, Croatian media report on Monday. The Split Clinical Hospital announced the infection was diagnosed in a Nepalese worker, who is being treated at home.

Speaking to state broadcaster HRT’s News programme, Mirela Pavicic Ivelja, head of the infectious diseases ward at the Split Clinical Hospital, said there was no reason for panic or stigmatization of foreign workers. "The risk of transmission of the disease through social contact is low and does not pose a danger to the wider population," she said. According to her, most people have natural immunity, and vaccination against tuberculosis also provides some protection.

Croatian Health Minister Irena Hrstic told HINA, the Croatian News Agency, that the outbreak of the disease was "a consequence of serious migration that exists around the world, including the Republic of Croatia." According to her, this isolated case was correctly identified by doctors and an epidemiological investigation was conducted in connection with it. Hrstic added that people who had been in contact with the patient had received adequate treatment, saying that there was no reason for stigmatization or panic, and that stricter health controls would be introduced for foreign workers.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health informed in a statement, quoted by Croatian media, that Croatia’s health system is fully prepared for any epidemiological situation, regardless of whether it’s common or not.