World Leprosy Day is observed on the last Sunday of January every year. It provides an opportunity for enhanced efforts and renewed commitment for elimination/eradication of the debilitating disease at the earliest. It focuses on the target of zero cases of leprosy-related disabilities in children. Early detection is prime focus to achieve this target, along with strengthening interventions to prevent leprosy transmission. Leprosy is also known as Hansen’s disease.
What is leprosy?
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae (M. laprae). The symptoms of the disease occur generally after a long period of getting infection on average 5 years, as M. leprae multiplies very slowly. The disease mainly affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes.
Classification:
Paucibacillary (PB)- few (up to five) skin lesions (pale or reddish)
Multibacillary (MB)- multiple (more than five) skin lesions, nodules, plaques, thickened dermis or skin infiltration
What are the signs and symptoms of leprosy?
Leprosy should be suspected if a person shows the following signs and symptoms:
- Dark-skinned people might have light patches on the skin, while pale-skinned people have darker or reddish patches
- Loss or decrease of sensation in the skin patches
- Numbness or tingling in hand or feet
- Weakness of hands, feet or eyelids
- Painful nerves
- Swelling or lumps in the face or earlobes
- Painless wounds or burns on hands or feet.
How does the disease spread?
Untreated leprosy-affected person is the only known source for transmission of the bacteria.
