What is Leprosy?
Leprosy in 2023
127
countries reported new cases of leprosy4
million people have disabilities as a result of leprosy182815
new cases of leprosy reported around the world6
percent of these new cases are in children79
percent of new leprosy cases were in Brazil, India and IndonesiaLeprosy - What is it?
Leprosy (Hansen’s disease), one of the 21 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), is caused by the bacillus M. leprae. The Bacillus multiplies very slowly. The disease has a surprisingly long incubation period of four to five years, but in some cases, symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear. More than 180,000 new cases per year are reported globally, most of which are found in low-income communities. Approximately two-thirds of newly found leprosy patients are reported in India, followed by Brazil and Indonesia. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves and the eyes. It can cause disabilities if not treated in time. Besides physical consequences, persons affected by leprosy often also face stigmatization, discrimination and negative socio-economic consequences of this disease.
Transmission
The transmission of leprosy occurs through droplets released from the nose and mouth. Prolonged and close contact over an extended period with an individual who has untreated leprosy is needed for transmission. Casual interactions, such as shaking hands and sharing meals, do not facilitate the spread of the disease.
Treatment
Leprosy is curable and early treatment with a combination of the antibiotics dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine. This drug combination is called multidrug therapy (MDT) and usually prevents disability if started in time. The treatment period is 6 to 12 months. A few days after taking MDT, a leprosy patient is no longer infectious.
Additional treatment - such as pain relief, physical therapy, reconstructive surgery or psychological support - may be needed when persons affected by leprosy experience complications or secondary effects of the disease.
Stigma and discrimination
Persons affected by leprosy frequently experience stigma, social exclusion and discrimination. This can affect mental well-being, potentially resulting in depression and anxiety. Globally, there are over 100 laws that impose discriminatory measures against individuals who have encountered leprosy, which still needs to be abolished.
Prevention
In recent years, there has been progress in leprosy prevention, including contact management - Tracing the contacts of new leprosy patients, chemoprophylaxis - A single dose of rifampicin to contacts of new leprosy patients, and immunoprophylaxis - Research and trials of a leprosy vaccine.
