'Flesh-eating' cases identified as leprosy, psoriasis: DOH

MANILA The flesh-eating diseases carried by two patients in Pangasinan have been identified as leprosy and psoriasis, both of which are not contagious, a health official said on Tuesday.

In a phone interview with ABS-CBNnews.com, Department of Health (DoH) Undersecretary Janette Garin said the two cases in Pangasinan have been placed under investigation, but they pose no threat to the public.

According to Garin, one of the patients has been diagnosed with leprosy, a disease that causes skin sores.

The medications the patient took caused side effects that made the skin react, similar to having an allergy.

Dahil malala na [ang leprosy], binigyan ng gamot [ang pasyente na nagdulot sa] pagkakaroon ng reaskyon na parang allergy, ngunit hindi ito flesh-eating," Garin told ABS-CBNnews.com.

For the second patient, Garin said authorities are still having the case verified.

However, past records show the patient is suffering from psoriasis, a skin disease that causes peeling and red marks on the skin.

Ang psoriasis ay isang skin desease na hindi nakakahawa. [Nagdudulot ito ng] pamamamalat sa balat ng pasyente.

Garin said that there is nothing to be worry about as both cases are not contagious.

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'Flesh-eating' cases identified as leprosy, psoriasis: DOH