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2007-01-31: World Leprosy Day |
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31 January 2007
THE World Leprosy Day is on 31 January 2007. The first known written mention of leprosy is dated 600 BC. Throughout history, communities and families have often ostracized the afflicted. Today, Leprosy is a curable disease. The City Of Johannesburg Health Department would like to create awareness about this condition that may affect people in our community.
What is Leprosy?
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a small germ that mainly affects the skin and the nerves. Leprosy causes disabilities and even blindness if left untreated. On average in South Africa, 70 new case of leprosy is diagnosed on an annual basis. According to the Leprosy Mission in South Africa, there are currently 200 people on treatment and 3000 persons are receiving follow-up care for disabilities.
Diagnosis of leprosy is most commonly based on the clinical signs and symptoms. It is spread through droplets in the air when an untreated leprosy sufferer sneezes or coughs.
Cause of Leprosy
Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a germ called Mycobacterium leprae (M.Leprae)
M. Leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years.
Leprosy is not highly infectious. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases.
Symptoms of Leprosy
Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves; skin patches lighter in colour appear on the body. The skin patches have little or no feeling because the germ damages the nerves. Lumps appear especially on the face and ears.
Loss of feeling or weakness of fingers and /or toes occurs. As a result persons tend to have painless injuries, burns and blisters on their hands and feet.
If untreated, there can be progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes.
Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear.
The leprosy germ likes the cool places in the body, particularly the skin and the surface nerves. This makes it a very visible disease, starting with patches on the skin. It may also damage nerves in the face, arms and legs and lead to clawed hands, a nodulous-swollen face, or sores on the hands and feet.
Can leprosy be cured?
Multidrug therapy (MDT) is very effective in killing the leprosy germs. Early diagnosis prevents irreversible disability and associated stigma.
For more information contact:
Nkosinathi Nkabinde
Communications Officer
City of Johannesburg Health Department
Telephone: (011) 407 – 6477
Facsimile: (011) 407 – 1443
E-mail:
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Leprosy Mission SA
Telephone: (011) 440-6323
Facsimile: (011) 440-6324
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