Rising Leprosy Cases in Kapilvastu Despite Previous Elimination

Kathmandu | Despite Kapilvastu being declared free of leprosy 12 years ago, the number of leprosy patients has been steadily increasing. This surge comes despite ongoing efforts to bring the cases down to zero.

Health workers attribute the rise in cases to a lack of awareness and the open border with India. Controlling the disease has become a challenge, as highlighted by Kapilvastu’s leprosy officer, Mohammed Irfan, who noted that while there should be less than one patient per 10,000 people, the district recorded 188 new cases in the last fiscal year, with an infection rate of 2.7%. Kapilvastu is one of 12 districts in the Terai region with over 1% of its population affected by leprosy.

In the previous fiscal year, 167 new cases were detected, including 10 patients under the age of 14, and 10 who were disabled due to the disease. The trend has worsened over the years: 123 new cases were found in 2078/79, 128 cases in 2077/78, and 56 new patients were discovered in a survey across 36 wards in 10 municipalities.

During six special camps, 21 new cases were identified. Contact tracing efforts revealed 17 more cases, and a government-led investigation found 15 additional patients. Currently, 124 people are undergoing treatment, with some on a one-year medication course and others on a six-month plan.

Although Kapilvastu was declared free of leprosy 12 years ago, increasing migration and cross-border movement have contributed to the resurgence of cases. Health workers stress that education and awareness campaigns are essential to reversing this trend.

Leprosy, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, develops slowly and often leads to numbness in the hands and feet, thickened skin, and weakened muscles. Many patients only seek treatment once the disease has progressed to a more serious stage, leading to deformities and disabilities. Public health administrator Narayan Chaudhary emphasized that neglecting treatment until the disease worsens has become a common issue, particularly among impoverished and rural populations.

The open border with India has also played a role in the spread of leprosy in Kapilvastu, as many patients cross the border for work or migrate from hill regions. Health officials continue to urge early detection and treatment, as leprosy is treatable with free medications available at government health centres. With regular medication, the disease can be controlled, and the risk of transmission to others is minimal.