Leprosy in Portugal

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

According to a report eight people were diagnosed with leprosy in Portugal between 2023 and 2024, after laboratory confirmation by the National Institute of Health Ricardo Jorge (INSA).

The data contained in the INSA report on INSA tuberculosis laboratory surveillance, prepared by the infectious diseases department, adds that laboratory tests made it possible to diagnose four patients in 2023 and four in 2024.

“All these patients had a compatible epidemiological context, namely, travel history, coming from endemic regions of Brazil and Asia or cohabiting with patients previously diagnosed with leprosy.”

According to INSA, recent advances have allowed the development of a molecular diagnostic method for the early detection of cases, essential for controlling the spread of leprosy and improving clinical outcomes. Since 2023, INSA’s National Mycobacteria Reference Laboratory has had this diagnostic method available, with the number of requests for laboratory confirmation of disease cases increasing since then.

“The number of requests has been increasing, and molecular diagnosis by PCR allowed laboratory confirmation of the disease of eight patients,” the report said.

Leprosy, caused by M. leprae, is a chronic disease that, despite advances in its control, has registered an increase in the number of cases worldwide, particularly in regions with vulnerable health infrastructures.

INSA also points out that, according to the current guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO), systematic prophylaxis or isolation of the patient is not recommended, but rather early diagnosis and appropriate treatment with multidrug therapy, in order to prevent complications and transmission of the disease.

Traditionally, the diagnosis of leprosy was carried out by sputum smear microscopy, a method with limited sensitivity, that often only detected more advanced potentially infectious stages.

The disease, which affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes, is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disability.

According to WHO data, leprosy still occurs in more than 120 countries, with about 200,000 new cases reported each year, but this figure is gradually decreasing.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

Photo: JM

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