Kelantan: Leprosy still exists in Kelantan with eight new cases recorded last year, despite many believing that the disease had been eradicated and was no longer a public health problem.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Kelantan health director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob stated that the number involved an incidence rate of 0.37 cases per 100,000 population. At the national level, 381 new cases were reported in 2025 with an incidence rate of 11.5 cases per 100,000 population.
He mentioned that a total of 516 leprosy patients were still receiving treatment in Malaysia last year, with a prevalence rate of 0.15 per 10,000 population. The prevalence rate in Kelantan was 0.06 per 10,000 population, lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) target of less than one case per 10,000 population.
Dr Mohd Azman explained that leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It can be spread through airborne droplets from untreated patients when they cough, sneeze, or talk. However, the disease can be completely cured if patients receive treatment consistently.
He noted that common symptoms include reddish or white patches or rashes on the skin that do not itch, accompanied by loss of sensation in the affected area. If left untreated, the disease can lead to nerve damage, muscle weakness, and facial nerve paralysis.
Dr Mohd Azman emphasized that family members and close contacts of patients are at high risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, early detection, contact screening, and immediate treatment are crucial to prevent community transmission.
The Ministry of Health is implementing the provision of Single Dose Rifampicin (SDR) to eligible close contacts to reduce the risk of infection, he added.
Meanwhile, he highlighted that the theme for this year's World Leprosy Day, "Leprosy Is Curable, The Real Challenge Is Stigma," aims to raise public awareness that leprosy patients should not be ostracized because the disease is not caused by race, heredity, or retaliation for certain actions.
At the same event, the Tumpat District Level Health Literacy Interview Programme was also held to enhance the community's ability to obtain, understand, and use health information for making informed decisions about personal, family, and community health.
Various activities were provided, including health forums, health and dental check-ups, blood donations, Rahmah sales, and health literacy quizzes.