What is leprosy
Leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria, mainly spread through droplets from the nose and mouth of people suffering from untreated leprosy.
The disease, which can have a long incubation period, causes disfiguring lesions on the skin and nerve damage.
The first stage of leprosy leads to loss of sensation and muscle weakness in facial muscles, hands, and feet (known as Grade 1 disability).
If the disease is not detected and treated, it progresses to a second stage that causes observable and permanent impairments, such as loss and shortening of fingers and toes, and vision loss (known as Grade 2 disability).
Leprosy is most common in areas of poverty, where overcrowding and poor nutrition make people more vulnerable to infection, and where it continues to be a major source of disability and social exclusion for persons affected and their families. The consequences of leprosy can often persist beyond completion of treatment.
People affected by leprosy
3 countriesACCOUNT FOR MORE THAN 80% OF THE GLOBAL BURDEN (BRAZIL, INDIA AND INDONESIA) 174,608 casesRECEIVED TREATMENT AT THE START OF 2016WHO NTD roadmap targets for leprosy
The set out a comprehensive plan for the control, elimination and eradication of various neglected tropical diseases by 2020, including leprosy.
Leprosy target: Global elimination by 2020
Progress, year after year
Here are some of the numbers that give us much
reason to celebrate:
Human African trypanosomiasis2,184 cases reported in 2016. reason to celebrate:
Down from 10,000 cases in 2009Trachoma5 countries have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem since 2012
Lymphatic filariasis544 million people no longer require treatment for LF. A drop of 39%Guinea worm diseaseOnly 26 cases reported so far in 2017. A drop from 3 million, 30 years agoOnchocerciasis4 countries in the Americas have eliminated onchocerciasis since 2012
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