“Kusta”: Is it a curse?

Shalihin, Mohd Shaiful Ehsan (2016) “Kusta”: Is it a curse? Malaysian Medical Gazette. pp. 1-3.

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Abstract

Does it still exist in Malaysia and other countries worldwide? Leprosy is one of the oldest diseases known to humankind. It is also known as Hansen’s disease or “kusta” in Malay. It is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which affects peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tracts and eyes. Historically, there were huge misconceptions on kusta, in which all the affected patients were isolated and not allowed to mix with the community. The first isolation center was built in Malaysia as early as 1850 in Malacca. Subsequent leprosy settlements were later built in Pulau Jerejak, Penang in 1871; followed by Setapak Camp in 1893, followed by Pulau Pangkor Laut Camp in 1903 before Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement took over in 1920s. Indeed, leprosy still occurs in Malaysia, but reducing in trend from 6 per 10000 population in 1980s to as low as 0.2 per 10000 population from 2012 onwards. World Health Organization (WHO) already established its goal initially in 1990 of eliminating leprosy by year 2000. This is actually achievable as the prevalence rate worldwide had coming down to 0.37 per 10000 populations. Malaysia already achieved elimination (less than 1 per 10000 populations) of leprosy in 1994. Despite that, great numbers of cases were still seen in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Nigeria and Bangladesh.

Item Type:	Article (Electronic Media)
Additional Information:	6934/64360
Uncontrolled Keywords:	kusta, leprosy
Subjects:	R Medicine > R Medicine (General) R Medicine > RL Dermatology
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Family Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011)
Depositing User:	Dr Mohd Shaiful Ehsan Shalihin
Date Deposited:	17 Jul 2018 09:45
Last Modified:	17 Jul 2018 09:45
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/64360

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