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Leprosy was once believed to be a curse
The Leprosy Mission is part of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy, joining with organisations like the World Health Organisation (WHO), working towards ending leprosy transmission by 2035.
Some communities still believe that and shun people with leprosy. It is just a bacterial disease, though uncured it causes immense damage and disability Leprosy – also called Hansen’s Disease – is caused by bacteria attacking nerves in our extremities, such as hands, feet, face, eyes. Leaving them numb.
IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTRACT LEPROSY
It is only mildly infectious. You would have to spend years with an infected person before you were likely to catch it. This is why it tends to affect families and was once believed to be hereditary. It is not. You can’t catch leprosy by touching someone. It spreads through moisture droplets in the air, from someone who has not started their cure.
Leprosy is now restricted to the world’s most disadvantaged people and places
95% of people may be naturally immune, but immunity is lowered by poor nutrition, sanitation, and hygiene.
UNTREATED LEPROSY CAUSES SEVERE LIFELONG DISABILITIES
Fingers and toes to claw inwards. In the eyes, it can lead to infections, cataracts and even preventable irreversible blindness. Fingers and toes may claw inwards. In the eyes, leprosy can lead to infections, cataracts, and even preventable irreversible blindness. This often occurs because the disease damages the nerves that control blinking. Without the protective reflex of blinking, ulcers and infections in the hands and feet become common. When the skin loses feeling, people may ignore normal bruises, cuts, and burns, allowing these unprotected wounds to become severely infected, which can lead to disfigurement and amputations.
A common complication is footdrop, as the nerve that controls our walking is destroyed. Without being able to automatically raise our toes as we walk, our feet get bruised and scraped, leading to infections that in turn lead to amputations or even death. That is why one of the most effective aids is a pair of protective sandals.
Better still, is to stop leprosy before it can cause this harm.
