Hong Kong health authorities investigating leprosy case involving 30-year-old woman
- Centre for Health Protection says patient stayed in Philippines during incubation period before arriving in Hong Kong in late April
Hong Kong health authorities are investigating a case of leprosy involving a 30-year-old woman, while emphasising the local risk of transmission remains low.
The Centre for Health Protection said on Friday that the patient with “good past health” had a skin rash on her arm since early May.
“Initial inquiries by the centre revealed that the patient stayed in the Philippines during the incubation period before arriving in Hong Kong in late April,” it said. “Her home contacts in Hong Kong are currently asymptomatic and under medical surveillance.”
She visited Tseung Kwan O Hospital on May 23 and was in a stable condition after testing positive for leprosy, it added.
A centre spokesman emphasised the transmission risk of leprosy in Hong Kong was low and the disease did not spread easily among people.
Leprosy is a “notable” chronic infectious disease caused by a bacteria, which can be transmitted by nasal droplets or close skin contact.
The disease affects the skin, nerves, upper respiratory tract and eyes. Symptoms may appear within one year or take as long as 20 years to show.