Biblical Plague Resurfaces After 44 Years!

Leprosy, a biblical disease long banished from Europe, resurfaces in Romania after 44 years through unchecked migrant labor from endemic regions, raising alarms about open borders importing health risks to Western nations.

Story Snapshot

Romania confirms first leprosy cases since 1981 in two Indonesian masseuses at a high-end spa in Cluj-Napoca.
Two additional suspected cases among spa staff under investigation, all foreign workers from leprosy-endemic Indonesia.
One patient recently visited Asia where her mother has leprosy, highlighting imported infection via global mobility.
Spa shut down, disinfected, and staff screened; officials stress low transmission risk but spark debate on migrant health screening.
EU authorities consult WHO and ECDC, exposing vulnerabilities in open-border policies to rare diseases.

Cases Confirmed in High-End Spa

Romanian health authorities confirmed two leprosy cases in Cluj-Napoca on November 26, 2025. Two Indonesian women, aged 21 and 25, sought treatment at Cluj County Emergency Hospital for skin lesions. Laboratory tests verified Mycobacterium leprae, ruling out tuberculosis. The women worked as masseuses at a fashionable spa serving affluent clients. Authorities closed the facility temporarily, ordered ozone disinfection, and initiated staff medical checks. This marks Romania’s first cases since 1981, ending a 44-year absence.

Imported Risk from Migrant Workers

All affected individuals are Indonesian nationals from a leprosy-endemic country. One masseuse recently returned from Asia, where her mother is hospitalized with the disease, pointing to clear importation. Global labor mobility brought these workers to EU service sectors like spas. Europe sees sporadic cases mainly in migrants or travelers from high-risk areas. Romanian officials emphasize leprosy’s low infectivity, requiring prolonged close contact, yet the incident underscores how open migration reintroduces eliminated diseases to low-prevalence regions like the EU.

Rapid Response and Official Statements

Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete announced the cases, stressing low contagion and urging calm. The Cluj Public Health Directorate, led by Corina Criste, detailed contact tracing and workplace inspections. Both patients receive WHO-recommended multidrug therapy, sharply reducing transmission risk. The Romanian Ministry of Health sought support from WHO and ECDC for protocols. No secondary transmission reported beyond spa staff. Surveillance targets close contacts and clients with repeated prolonged exposure.

Leprosy, caused by Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and nerves. Multidrug therapy since the 1980s made it curable, dropping global cases from millions to under 200,000 annually, mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Romania’s health system detected and managed the outbreak swiftly, but low clinician familiarity highlights training gaps.

Implications for Borders and Public Health

The spa faces economic losses from closure and reputational harm. Spa owners and staff endure income disruption and scrutiny. Clients worry despite low risk assurances. This event spotlights migration policy flaws: foreign workers from endemic areas bypass health screens, importing rare diseases to upscale venues. EU states must balance labor needs with safeguards like pre-employment checks for close-contact roles, protecting citizens from global health threats without discrimination.

Conservatives watching Europe’s woes see a warning for America. President Trump’s border security victories prevent such risks at home, prioritizing American health over unchecked globalism. Romania’s response shows competence, but the root cause—lax migration—demands tougher controls to keep biblical plagues from modern doorsteps.