WHAT IS LEPROSY?

Leprosy is a disease caused by a bacteria called m.leprae (also referred to as Hansen’s disease), which attacks nerves to the hands, feet and face making them numb and without feeling.

Do parts of the body fall off? No, but due to the loss of feeling people damage their hands and feet during day to day activities like cooking over open fires and walking bare foot. Untreated leprosy ultimately results in bodily disfigurement including ulcers and further deformities.

If caught early this disfigurement can be avoided. However leprosy is as much a social disease as a medical one; those infected are less likely to go for help due to the social rejection they may face. To this day people affected by leprosy are disowned by family and friends. The Leprosy Mission works to reduce stigma through its overseas programmes and by interacting with communities and governments in each area affected by leprosy.

It is unlikely you will get leprosy here in New Zealand.

This is because poverty and leprosy go hand in hand. Generally those who catch this disease have low immune systems due to the extremely poor environments in which they live.

Reducing poverty is vitally important to The Leprosy Mission.