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'''Leprosy''' is a [[disease]] caused by the [[bacteria]] ''Mycobacterium leprae''. The word comes from the Greek "lepra", meaning "scale" or "flake".<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=leper</ref> It is also known as Hansen's disease, named after its discoverer Gerhard Hansen. Leprosy mainly affects the [[skin]], the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the [[eye]]s. It can affect all ages and both sexes. Incubation can last anywhere between three months and 40 years, with the average incubation period lasting three to five years. Leprosy is transmitted from one untreated person to another via the respiratory tract or skin. Leprosy is curable and if detected early and treated with a prescribed duration of drug therapy, leprosy will not cause any permanent disability.

'''Leprosy''' is a [[disease]] caused by the [[bacteria]] ''Mycobacterium leprae''.  

 

The word comes from the Greek "lepra", meaning "scale" or "flake".<ref>http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=leper</ref>  

It is also known as Hansen's disease, named after its discoverer Gerhard Hansen.  

 

Leprosy mainly affects the [[skin]], the peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the [[eye]]s.  

It can affect all ages and both sexes.  

[[Incubation]] can last anywhere between three months and 40 years, with the average incubation period lasting three to five years.  

 

Leprosy is transmitted from one untreated person to another via the respiratory tract or skin.  

 

Leprosy is curable and if detected early and treated with a prescribed duration of drug therapy, it will not cause any permanent disability.

Leprosy is chronic, but much less [[contagious]] than has been commonly supposed.  

Leprosy is chronic, but much less [[contagious]] than has been commonly supposed.  

Leprosy is one of the world's oldest diseases, tracing back to the ancient civilizations of [[China]], [[Egypt]] and [[India]]. Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in [[Europe]]. Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable. In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to ''[[leper colony|leper colonies]]''. Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today, even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious.

Leprosy is one of the world's oldest known diseases, known to the ancient civilizations of [[China]], [[Egypt]] and [[India]].  

Leprosy was also rampant during the 13th century in [[Europe]].  

 

Historically, it is one of the most stigmatized diseases with a reputation of being highly contagious, disfiguring and incurable.  

In the past leprosy sufferers were banished to ''[[leper colony|leper colonies]]''.  

Unfortunately, this practice still exists is some countries today,{{fact}} even though leprosy is now curable and is not considered highly contagious.

Worldwide there are 290,000 leprosy cases being treated as of January 2005, 75 percent arising in nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, according to the World Health Organization.<ref>"Doctor says he treated woman with leprosy," The Macon Telegraph (Georgia), June 7, 2007.</ref>  Illegal immigration, which does not screen for disease, is significant to the [[United States]] from some of those nations.

Worldwide there are 290,000 leprosy cases being treated as of January 2005, 75 percent arising in nine countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, according to the World Health Organization.<ref>"Doctor says he treated woman with leprosy," The Macon Telegraph (Georgia), June 7, 2007.</ref>  Illegal immigration, which does not screen for disease, is significant to the [[United States]] from some of those nations.