THINK of the word leprosy and chances are the next two words to come to mind are leper and colony. Despite robust treatment existing for this curable infectious disease since 1981, and the fact that 95 per cent of the world are naturally immune to the condition, leprosy is still cloaked by a blanket of fear, fuelled by misinformation. Continued discrimination toward those with leprosy is so severe that it has been recognised as a human rights issue by the United Nations.

Leprosy has been around for thousands of years and is referenced in the Bible, where Jesus ministered to those affected.

At present, the worldwide figure for those with a confirmed diagnosis is around 5.5 million with around 200,000 new cases annually.

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Eighty per cent of cases are found in five countries, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brazil and Nigeria. The bacterium is carried in armadillos which are eaten in Brazil and some southern US states. Yet the major route of transmission is droplet infection.

Time from infection to showing signs of active disease can be anywhere from six months to 20 years, though the average is five years.

Leprosy is a systemic disease, affecting the whole body. Eye complications may end in blindness. Kidney damage can progress to renal failure, and in men, infertility may be the consequence. These are but a few of the multiple devastating effects.

Contrary to popular belief, leprosy itself does not cause body parts to drop off. Reduced or absent sensation can mean the sufferer is unable to appreciate painful impulses due to injury or infection. Tissue damage is the result which if severe may cause loss of digits, or necessitate surgical removal.

Leprosy is not highly contagious. For a normal healthy person, you would need to be living in close proximity to an affected individual for years to have a realistic chance of also becoming infected.

A triple drug treatment has been provided free by the World Health Organisation, with over 16m individuals benefitting in the last 20 years.

Today it remains a very treatable disease, if identified before complications have occurred. After treatment individuals are no longer infectious.

As it stands there is no need for anyone with leprosy to be isolated from their community. The term leper is now as outdated and offensive as the residual stigma that still surrounds the condition.

Sunday January 30 is World Leprosy Day.