active case-finding |
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Active case-finding is a key component of SFLG’s TRACE strategy. Leprosy is a contagious disease, passed from person to person. It can only be fully eradicated if all cases can be found. It is essential to screen whole communities.
Our focus is on diagnosing and treating people as early as possible when they have contracted the disease, before disabilities and deformities can evolve and before it can be passed on to others.
Our focus is on diagnosing and treating people as early as possible when they have contracted the disease, before disabilities and deformities can evolve and before it can be passed on to others.
SFLG partners with organisations that carry out vital community outreach work, raising awareness of the disease, monitoring for early symptoms, and overseeing treatment. This type of work is key in rural and remote communities, where people can be many miles from medical facilities with no means of transport.
As well as seeking out new cases, crucially, active case-finding also involves tracing the close contacts of leprosy patients, so that they can be screened for the disease, meaning the chain of infection can be broken. Again, this is similar to Covid-19, where contact tracing has proven vital to slowing the spread of the disease, and routing out potential cases.
As well as seeking out new cases, crucially, active case-finding also involves tracing the close contacts of leprosy patients, so that they can be screened for the disease, meaning the chain of infection can be broken. Again, this is similar to Covid-19, where contact tracing has proven vital to slowing the spread of the disease, and routing out potential cases.
Our thanks go to all our donors who make TRACE possible
