Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)

What is Leprosy?

• A chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
• Also known as Hansen’s Disease.
• Primarily affects
  • Skin
  • Peripheral nerves
  • Eyes
  • Upper respiratory mucosa
• Classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
• Still present in 120+ countries, with ~200,000 new cases annually.

Transmission

• Spread occurs via droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated patient, usually requiring prolonged and close contact.
• Does NOT spread through:
  • Handshakes
  • Hugging
  • Sharing meals
  • Sitting together
• Transmission stops immediately once treatment (MDT) is started.

Incubation Period

• 3 to 5 years on average, sometimes longer.

Symptoms

• Persistent skin sores, patches, lumps, or bumps lasting weeks or months.
• Loss of sensation (touch, pain), increasing risk of injuries, burns, cuts.
• Can lead to nerve damage and deformities if untreated.

Treatment

• Curable disease.
• Standard treatment: Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT)
  • Dapsone
  • Rifampicin
  • Clofazimine
• MDT is provided free of cost under NLEP.

Prelims Pointers

1. Causative agent → Mycobacterium leprae.
2. Type of disease → Chronic bacterial + NTD.
3. Transmission → Prolonged close contact with droplets from untreated case.
4. Notifiable status → National (2005) + recent Maharashtra notification.
5. Treatment → MDT (Dapsone + Rifampicin + Clofazimine).
6. Incubation → 3–5 years.