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.
