Facts About Leprosy

Leprosy also known as Hansen's disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria, Mycobacterium leprae.
It is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) which predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Left untreated, the disease may cause progressive and permanent disabilities.
The bacteria are transmitted during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. However, the patient stops transmitting the disease when they begin treatment.
Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT) which is a combination of drugs consisting of Rifampicin and Dapsone for paucibacillary leprosy (PB) and Rifampicin, Clofazimine and Dapsone for multibacillary leprosy (MB).
Since its introduction, the registered prevalence has decreased substantially, from more than 5 million cases in the 1980s to 133 802 cases in 2021. New cases continued to occur, however, indicating continuing transmission of infection.
Leprosy is reported from all the six WHO Regions. While the majority of annual new case detections are from South-East Asia, Leprosy is still an important problem in many parts of Africa, and Latin America.
Apart from the registered cases there are a large number of persons cured of leprosy but with residual disabilities. Their number is estimated to be several times that of the registered cases. They need care and rehabilitation.

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