The Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, announced on Thursday evening that a case of leprosy was confirmed, and three other suspicions are being analyzed. The minister states that all four people are female.
“The Ministry of Health informs that today one case of leprosy (Hansen’s disease) has been confirmed, and three other cases are undergoing clinical and microbiological evaluation, based on skin lesions and epidemiological criteria. All four people are female, originally from Asia, employed as masseuses at a SPA salon in Cluj-Napoca“, announces Rogobete.
The minister adds that the two patients who initially presented themselves at SCJU Cluj, on 26.11.2025, aged 21 and 25, come from Indonesia. They were subjected to the following investigations:
- skin tissue biopsy – positive microscopy for BAAR (3 BAAR/100 fields) in the first case;
- genetic test GeneXpert MTB/Rif ULTRA – Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex not detected, excluding tuberculosis;
- histopathological specimens and Ziehl-Neelsen smears – in progress, targeting Mycobacterium leprae infection.
“Based on microbiological data, one of the cases was confirmed today, and the other three are under clinical and epidemiological monitoring,” pass it on.
Epidemiological measures applied The State Sanitary Inspection of the Ministry of Health and DSP Cluj have ordered firm measures to limit any risk:
- ozone disinfection in all used spaces;
- checking locker rooms and individual storage spaces;
- intensifying sanitization procedures with approved biocides;
- scheduling employees for a medical check-up in Occupational Medicine;
- extension of the epidemiological investigation.
Alexandru Rogobete states that the Ministry of Health through DSP ordered the suspension of the salon’s activity until the epidemiological investigation is completed. The WHO-specific treatment for leprosy was started. After initiation of treatment, the risk of transmission decreases to zero, according to international protocols.
“Important Medical Clarification – For Public Reassurance. Leprosy is a slow-moving disease with low contagiousness. Transmission requires prolonged exposure.
The disease is NOT transmitted by:
- handshake;
- hug;
- journeys in public transport;
- short proximity;
- use of common spaces.
Given the slow development of the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, the source of the infection is difficult to identify. After starting treatment, the risk of spreading disappears,” explains Alexandru Rogobete.
Measures ordered by the Minister of Health:
- intensifying epidemiological surveillance;
- expanding contact testing;
- assessment of working and living conditions of foreign employees;
- requesting international assistance from WHO and ECDC, for validation of diagnostic and treatment protocols and for support in epidemiological monitoring.
However, the Minister of Health points out that the risk to the general population remains low, and the situation is being managed with maximum responsibility. The State Sanitary Inspection within the Ministry of Health will monitor this situation daily, in coordination with local and national public health teams.
“We thank Dr. Simona Pârvu, director general of the National Institute of Public Health, for technical coordination and constant collaboration with the structures of the Ministry of Health.
In Romania, the last case of leprosy (Hansen’s disease) was diagnosed in 1981. At the European level, cases are sporadic, mostly in people coming from endemic areas in Asia, Africa or Latin America.
The Ministry of Health will return with information as the investigation progresses,” it concludes.
