Romania just shattered a 44-year streak of zero leprosy cases when Indonesian spa workers brought the ancient disease back to Europe’s doorstep.
Story Snapshot
- Two Indonesian masseuses in Cluj-Napoca confirmed with leprosy – Romania’s first cases since 1981
- High-end spa shuttered indefinitely as two additional Asian workers undergo testing for suspected infection
- One patient recently traveled to Asia where her mother was hospitalized with leprosy
- Health officials stress extremely low transmission risk, requiring prolonged close contact over weeks or years
Ancient Disease Returns Through Modern Migration
The discovery of leprosy in a Cluj-Napoca spa represents more than just a medical anomaly. Two Indonesian women, ages 21 and 25, sought treatment at Cluj County Emergency Hospital on November 26th with telltale skin lesions. Within weeks, Romania’s Health Ministry confirmed what hadn’t been seen in the country for over four decades: active Hansen’s disease cases.
Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete moved swiftly, ordering the spa’s immediate closure and comprehensive sanitation. The facility, popular among both locals and Hungarian cross-border visitors, now sits empty while epidemiological investigators trace every contact. Two additional Asian masseuses from the same establishment remain under clinical evaluation, their test results pending.
The Imported Infection Pattern
This outbreak follows a predictable pattern seen across Europe. Prof. Dr. Simin Aysel Florescu, manager of Bucharest’s “Victor Babeș” Infectious Diseases Hospital, explains that sporadic imported cases are inevitable given global migration trends. One confirmed patient had recently spent a month in Asia with her hospitalized mother, who was receiving leprosy treatment.
The World Health Organization reports 172,717 new leprosy cases globally in 2024, with South-East Asia remaining a high-burden region. Indonesia, where these workers originated, continues to see active transmission. European medical literature increasingly warns clinicians to maintain awareness of imported tropical diseases as migration patterns shift.
Medical Reality Versus Public Fear
Despite sensational headlines about leprosy’s “return,” the actual health threat remains minimal. Dr. Florescu emphasizes these cases appear to be the tuberculoid form – a mild variant with extremely low transmission potential. Unlike respiratory infections, leprosy requires direct, prolonged contact lasting weeks to years, typically involving household cohabitation.
Modern treatment protocols eliminate transmission risk rapidly. The WHO-recommended multidrug therapy – three oral antibiotics taken over 6-12 months – renders patients essentially non-infectious within days of starting treatment. No vaccine exists, but early diagnosis and proper medication prevent the nerve damage and deformities historically associated with the disease.
Policy Questions and Economic Ripples
The Cluj outbreak raises uncomfortable questions about migrant worker health screening and occupational safety protocols. While authorities correctly emphasize low public risk, the incident highlights gaps in surveillance systems designed for a globalized economy where workers cross borders daily.
The spa’s indefinite closure creates immediate economic consequences – lost revenue, displaced workers, and potential reputational damage to Cluj’s wellness tourism sector. More concerning is the risk that legitimate public health measures could fuel discrimination against Asian and migrant communities already facing social stigma.
Sources:
Romania confirms first leprosy case in more than 40 years
Second leprosy case confirmed in Romania, doctor says no threat of epidemic
Migrants Bring Leprosy Back to European Country After Four Decades With No Cases
Leprosy case at spa in Cluj-Napoca
