Leprosy has historically been a feared disease that led to deformities, nerve damage and muscle weakness. Leprosy came to the Nordic countries and Sweden in the 12th century, but was most rampant in the 13th century.
Two cases have now been detected at a spa in the city of Cluj-Napoca in Romania. It is the country's first case in 44 years, reports Reuters news agency. Two more people are being tested for the disease.
The two infected are both Indonesians, 21 and 25 years old, according to Romania's Ministry of Health.
One of them recently returned from a trip to Asia where she visited her mother who was hospitalized with the same illness, according to Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete.
He urges calm as prolonged exposure is required to become infected with the disease.
In Sweden, the last leprosy patient died in 1976.
