The word itself feels distant, almost historical. Most people associate it with old textbooks, biblical stories or medieval medicine.
It is not something you expect to cross your mind while booking a wellness trip, reading European health statistics or scrolling through the news.
That sense of distance is precisely why recent developments in Eastern Europe have caught the attention of public health officials.
An unexpected diagnosis
Health authorities in Romania have confirmed cases of leprosy for the first time in more than four decades, marking a rare reappearance of the disease within the European Union.
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The infections were identified in the city of Cluj, where two young adults working at a local spa facility were hospitalised after showing symptoms consistent with the illness.
According to international reporting by Reuters, the patients are Indonesian nationals aged 21 and 25.
Both are currently receiving treatment under medical supervision. Romanian authorities have also called in two additional individuals for testing as a precaution.
The Ministry of Health has temporarily closed the spa while epidemiologists assess potential exposure and trace contacts.
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Limited risk to the public
Officials stress that the situation does not pose a broader public health threat. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is not easily transmitted and typically requires prolonged, close contact to spread.
Medical experts note that:
- casual contact does not lead to infection
- early treatment prevents serious complications
- most cases respond well to antibiotics
One of the infected individuals had recently spent time in Asia with a close family member who is also reported to be hospitalised with similar symptoms, according to Romanian state media.
A treatable condition
Leprosy primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves, particularly in the arms and legs.
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If left untreated, it can cause progressive nerve damage and physical impairment, but modern medicine has made the disease both manageable and, in most cases, curable.
Researchers and public health specialists emphasize that isolated cases can still occur due to global travel and migration, even in regions where the disease has long been absent.
The findings highlight the importance of early diagnosis rather than signalling a resurgence of the illness in Europe.
Sources: TV2
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