LAGAWE, Ifugao (PIA) -- The Ifugao Provincial Health continues to raise awareness about Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, an infectious skin disease.

Leprosy Program Coordinator Nicanor Tayaban explained in a radio program that Leprosy is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae which can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). This can be transmitted through inhaled droplets from an infected person through sneezing and coughing.

The signs and symptoms include pale or reddish patches on the skin; loss or decrease of sensation in the skin patch; numbness or tingling of the hands or feet; weakness of the hands, feet, or eyelids; painful or tender nerves; swelling or lumps in the face or earlobes; painless wounds or burns on the hands or feet; and no sweat and no hair in the affected skin area.

Tayaban stressed that with early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured.He also mentioned that once the medication started, the disease is not already transferable after one month.