Description

how is leprosy transmitted ?

### How is Leprosy Transmitted? Unraveling the Myths and Facts

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, has long been shrouded in mystery and fear, fueled by cultural and historical stigma. Understanding the transmission of leprosy is key to dispelling the myths and reducing the fear that this ancient disease still carries with it. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how leprosy is transmitted, clarifying some common misconceptions in the process.

#### Method of Transmission
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae or less commonly, Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Current scientific understanding suggests that the transmission occurs through respiratory droplets. When someone with untreated leprosy coughs or sneezes, they expel these tiny droplets into the air, which can potentially be inhaled by individuals nearby.

#### How to Spread and How Widespread
It’s important to note that leprosy is not highly contagious. Most people are naturally immune to the disease without ever having had leprosy before. Specifically, prolonged, close contact with an untreated person is required for transmission to occur. This means casual contact, such as shaking hands or hugging, are not adequate for disease transmission. Even within households, where close contact is unavoidable, the rate of transmission remains low.

#### Myths vs. Facts
Historically, leprosy was believed to be inherited or transmitted through skin contact. Modern medical science has disposed of such myths. However, it hasn’t all been clear sailing. For many years, scientists were unsure of how this disease spread specifically, making it a constant topic of research. Recent studies from organizations like The Leprosy Mission, which are currently conducting transmission studies in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal, are contributing to a clearer understanding of its spread.

#### Zoonotic Connection
It’s also worth mentioning that, according to studies by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), another fascinating aspect has been the link between leprosy and armadillos. These small mammals can be a source of infection. This has been discovered through the transmission of leprosy from wild armadillos, establishing leprosy as a zoonosis (a disease transmissible from animals to humans).

#### Contagiousness and Treatment
Once treated with multi-drug therapy (MDT), individuals with leprosy are no longer contagious. MDT is highly effective, completely curing the disease. This emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

#### Preventive Measures and Education
Being aware of the modes of transmission is key to addressing the long-standing stigma. Educating communities about the disease, its symptoms, and available treatments not only aids in the early detection and treatment but also plays a critical role in creating an informed society.

Leprosy’s transmission methods, though not 100% clarified, are clearer than ever before. With the world still maintaining areas where this disease persists, such as parts of Asia, South America, and Africa, understanding and combating the spread of leprosy remains a public health priority.

#### Conclusion
Leprosy’s transmission primarily involves airborne droplets—much like colds or flu. Nevertheless, it is less contagious than those common respiratory illnesses and largely averted when individuals get early treatment. Through ongoing research and the global efforts of organizations like The Leprosy Mission and the World Health Organization, we continue to advance in our understanding and treatment of leprosy, moving steadily towards its global eradication.

Embracing knowledge about the disease dispels the mystery and helps in building supportive environments for those affected, which is fundamental to ensuring the well-being of communities around the world.