Leprosy: Deformity means late detection

The national sample survey of leprosy 2010-11 shows a high rate of deformity among the new leprosy cases. According to experts, delayed detection is the main reason for this.

It also indicates that the machinery put in place for detection and treatment has become complacent and early detection has gone down. A total of 1.5 crore people were examined during the sample survey all over the nation.

The survey, conducted by the Union health ministry's central leprosy division, found 302 cases with deformities in a total of 2,177 new cases detected. This means that about 14% of the cases among the new cases are suffering with deformities, which is quite high, according to experts.

From amongst the 302 cases with deformities, 126 have Grade I deformities, while 176 are with Grade II deformities, which is an advanced stage, when the deformities are clearly visible. If the cases are not detected in time the deformities develop and rise to higher stages in the absence of treatment.

Statistics reveal there are around 60% cases with Grade II deformity among the total cases with deformities. This rise in the advanced stage of the disease is a cause for concern.

In Maharashtra, 12 cases with deformities were reported from amongst 172 new cases. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, West Bengal have high deformity rate.

No deformities were detected in Goa, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.