Dr Joe Akabuike, the Commissioner for Health in Anambra, has said that an average of 4,000 cases of leprosy are reported annually in Nigeria.

Akabuike made the statement on Wednesday in Awka while addressing newsmen to mark World Leprosy Day.

He said that apart from the fact that a large number of the cases are children, several of them are diagonised late leading to deformities and disabilities.

Represented by Dr Emma Okafor, the Director of Primary Healthcare, Akabuike described leprosy as “a chronic infectious disease’’ which affect the skin, peripheral nerves and mucus membrane of the upper respiratory tract.

He said that the disease could be contacted through droplet infection from coughing, sneezing and nasal discharge.

He enumerated the symptoms and signs of the disease to include, light or reddish patches, loss of feeling in the skin, numbness or tingling sensation in the hand and feet.

He listed other symptoms to include weakness of the hands, feet and eyelids as well as burns on the hands or feet.

The commissioner explained that the disease could be prevented by covering the mouth and nose while coughing and sneezing as well as disposal of nasal discharges properly.

Akabuike, who maintained that leprosy was curable with drugs, said the drugs were free and available in all government hospitals, primary healthcare centres and in the ministry. (NAN)