JURUPA VALLEY – (INT) – Health officials are playing down concerns of parents even after confirmation that a child did have leprosy.

Laboratory findings have confirmed a diagnosis of Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy, in a Jurupa Valley child. The findings were made after test results were received from the National Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Laboratory Research Program in Baton Rouge, La.

A second child was suspected of having the illness but there is no indication at this time that the youngster was infected, said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer.

“None of our recommendations to the school or parents have changed,” Kaiser said. “It is incredibly difficult to contract leprosy. The school was safe before this case arose and it still is.”

Hansen’s disease is transmitted through prolonged contact. But over 95 percent of the population already is naturally immune and if a patient is taking antibiotics for the disease, the bacteria cannot be transmitted to other people.

Story Date: September 26, 2016