World Leprosy Day

World Leprosy Day

World Leprosy Day is observed every year on the last Sunday of January. In India, it is observed on January 30th every year, coinciding with the anniversary of the death of Mahatma Gandhi. World Leprosy Day, established in 1954 by French philanthropist Raoul Follereau, raises awareness about leprosy. Leprosy is now called Hansen’s Disease. The goal of World Leprosy Day is to teach people about this ancient disease that is easily curable today.

While rare in the United States, many people around the world continue to suffer from this curable disease. This is due to lack of access to basic medical care and continued stigma surrounding the illness. Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease. It occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported every year. To call attention to this important awareness day, wear a purple enamel awareness pin, purple fabric ribbon, or purple silicone awareness wristband bracelet.

The Aim of World Leprosy Day

The aim of observing World Leprosy Day is to create awareness of the stigma attached to the disease. World Leprosy Day works to make communities aware that leprosy is a disease spread by a type of bacteria. Again, the disease is curable. The disease affects the skin, the peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Leprosy is known to occur at all ages ranging from early childhood to old age. Treatment during early stages can prevent disability. Leprosy is transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

Symptoms of Leprosy?

Leprosy symptoms may occur within one year but can also take as long as 20 years or more to occur. The disease manifests commonly through skin lesions and peripheral nerve involvement.

Leprosy is diagnosed by finding at least one of the following signs:

• Definite loss of sensation in a pale (hypo-pigmented) or reddish skin patch.
• Thickened or enlarged peripheral nerve, with loss of sensation and/or weakness of the muscles supplied by that nerve.
• Presence of acid-fast bacilli in a slit-skin smear.

Skin lesions usually have a different pigmentation than the surrounding normal skin (less pigmented, reddish or colored) and may have various aspects (flat, raised or nodules). Skin lesions can be single or multiple with a definite loss of sensation.

Leprosy is a highly variable disease. It affects different people in different ways, according to their immune response. Those at one end of the spectrum, with a high level of immunity, harbor a low number of bacilli. These people are referred to as patients with PB leprosy. Those with many bacilli in the body are referred to as patients with MB leprosy.

How to Raise Awareness on World Leprosy Day

Many people think of leprosy as an ancient disease that was eradicated many years ago. But each year, thousands of men, women, and children all over the world develop this disease. Despite effective treatment, leprosy is one of the world’s most stigmatized diseases. People living with leprosy-related disabilities in many countries are shunned, denied basic human rights, and face discrimination. The stigma of leprosy affects the physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being of those with leprosy, contributing to the cycle of poverty in affected regions.

During World Leprosy Day, work to increase public understanding of Hansen’s Disease (formerly leprosy) and tackle the social stigma attached to this completely curable disease.

(Image: Photo by Daniele Levis Pelusi on Unsplash)