June 3, 2005

Hansen's Disease (Leprosy)

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease, is a bacterial disease of the skin and nerves which can progress to involve internal organs if not treated. In some forms of Hansen's Disease, the upper airway (nose and throat) may be affected. It is difficult to get Hansen's Disease. It does not spread as easily as other common diseases such as measles or chicken pox. The exact route of transmission of Hansen's Disease is not clearly understood.

Hansen's Disease is probably spread by close contact with people infected with Mycobacterium Leprae. The bacteria may enter the body through the nose and broken skin. Untreated Hansen's Disease patients have millions of bacteria in the mucus from their noses. Hansen's Disease is not passed on from a mother to her unborn baby and you do not get it through sexual contact. Because the bacterium likes the cooler part of the body, the skin and its nerves are affected which can cause dryness and stiffness of the skin.

Symptoms of Hansen's Disease may include hair loss, nose congestion, nose bleeds and skin lesions. Treatment for Hansen's Disease involves taking several antibiotics for at least six months and up to several years depending on the severity of infection. In most cases, a person will lose the ability to infect others within days to months of starting treatment.

Early diagnosis and treatment of Hansen's Disease may prevent the development of severe disabilities as well as prevent the spread of the disease to close contacts. People living in the same household as an infected person and anyone else who comes in close contact with an infected person should be examined by a doctor and continue to be examined each year for at least five years. Persons receiving antibiotic treatment or having completed treatment are no longer at risk of spreading the disease to others.

Hansen's Disease is rare in the United States and Texas, however, it does exist. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, there have been an average of 33 new cases reported each year in Texas over the past 20 years. In 1999, there were 27 cases reported; the majority of which were born in the United States, which points to local transmission. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2002, the number of new cases detected worldwide was 763,917 with 96 cases occurring in the United States. In 2002, the World Health Organization listed Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Nepal as having 90 percent of all cases. Worldwide, 1-2 million people are permanently disabled as a result of Hansen's disease.

Hansen's Disease photo courtesy of the National Hansen’s Disease Website

For more information contact the National Hansen’s Disease program at 1-800-642-2477, or visit these web sites:

http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/nhdp
http://www.cdc.gov
http://www.who.int/topics/leprosy/en/
http://www.tdh.state.tx.us/hansens/default.htm

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