Posted on 02/20/2010 3:25:12 PM PST by MamaDearest
VANCOUVER -- Health officials confirmed Friday a crew member has a case of leprosy aboard a cruise ship anchored in the city's harbour that houses police and Canadian Forces personnel providing security for the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is curable and is not considered highly contagious, said provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall.
He said the young crew member worked in the engine room and did not have contact with police or military.
The crew member, who is not a Canadian citizen, was diagnosed Thursday and has received treatment, he said.
"I think he's gone home or is on his way home," Kendall said, pointing out that the risk of passing the disease to others was very low.
"The only risk is if the person had close personal contact," Kendall said, adding B.C. only sees one or two cases a year of leprosy.
He said all other crew members were examined by doctors and given a dose of antibiotic as a precaution. No further cases were detected, he said.
Still, anyone aboard the ship concerned about the risk of contracting the disease is asked to talk to their occupational health doctor.
There are about 7,500 police and military being housed aboard three cruise ships during the Vancouver Olympics, which continue through Feb. 28.
Contrary to myth, leprosy does not cause body parts such as fingers and toes to fall off.
It is caused by a bacteria that primarily attacks the peripheral nerves and upper respiratory tract, with skin lesions being the main external sign of the disease.
Left untreated, it can get progressively worse, causing permanent damage to the eyes, limbs and skin.
It is believed leprosy first came to Canada through immigration and infected sailors aboard ships. Fear of the disease in the late 19th century caused those with leprosy to be sent to leper colony on D'Arcy Island, east of Vancouver Island., from 1894 until 1924.
Also interesting: Events at Sea
Snip: February 19 Statendam Holland America Line CTV (Canada) reports a crew member aboard a ship housing 2010 Olympic security forces is bring treated for leprosy. Leprosy is typically characterized by skin rashes and nerve damage. It is easily treated with antibiotics. The crew member visited a doctor aboard the ship, who in turn referred the case to a dermatologist in Vancouver. Samples were sent to a lab and came back positive. The crew member was immediately treated. Leprosy is not highly contagious to begin with, and there is no risk of the disease spreading 24 hours after treatment. The crew member worked in the engine room so had no contact with passengers and there is no indication that it spread to any other crew members.
Leper!, Outcast!, Unclean!
Keep the tip...
Notice they didn’t even mention this person’s nationality.
Leprosy... man talk about a blast from the past!
Brazil has socialized medicine. Just saying.
Not an expert, but I believe the biggest threat of Hansen’s is undetected injury to the body because all sensation is gone. I have heard of a program of personal visual self-examination (VSE?) to spot unfelt damage (bruises, cuts, infections, etc.) that could get much worse, even fatal, if untreated.
Nor does it mention if this person is a mechanic. Makes me wonder why he was kept in the engine room.
***Leper!, Outcast!, Unclean!***
I saw lepers in SE Asia! They are a real pitiful sight!
***that could get much worse, even fatal, if untreated.***
As in skin leassions, bones in the hands and toes begin to disolve, bones and cartilege in the nose begins to disolve you end up with no nose, leaking skin leasions, stubbs where fingers were. I saw them in SE Asia, Thailand 1969 begging for baht (5 cents).
Pray for a cure.
Yes. The failure to mention nationality is strange as everyone knows diversity is strength!
Did anyone check for locusts?
Not a joking subject. Globalization, third world disease unrecognized at our door. God Bless all of the Haitian people and all of those caring for them.
Whatever comes out of Haiti is going global in an airplane ride.
Scary stuff. CDC....
puhleeze!
crew of 618
Dutch Officers
Indonesian-Filipino crew
Netherlands registry
Indeed it is - strength for those who intend to harm us and strength for those who demand entitlements from us.
Thanks MamaD
The REAL thanks is to YOU, who found the article to start with. You, as usual, were fast to find and post. You are appreciated here.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.