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'''Leprosy''' is a chronic infectious [[disease]] caused by an infection with the [[bacteria]] ''Mycobacterium leprae''.  It is also known as Hansen's disease, named after its dicoverer 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 chronic infectious [[disease]] caused by an infection with the [[bacteria]] ''Mycobacterium leprae''.  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 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 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.

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.

"According to Dr. Barbara Stryjdwska, Clinician at the National Hansen’s Disesase Programs in Louisiana, there are only approximately 150 new leprosy cases each year in the United States, and most of these are in immigrants coming from countries where Hansen’s Disease is endemic. In 2002, 96 cases were reported to the [[Center for Disease Control and Prevention]]. The incidence may be greater however, because many patients do not want to be reported because of their immigrant status. Additionally, if patients do not seek or purchase treatment, they are hard to be tracked. ... Because leprosy is such a small problem in the United States, and since 90% of cases are imported (immigrants from countries where leprosy is endemic), there is little reason for a leprosy vaccine to actually be utilized in the United States ...."<ref>http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Leprosy_vaccine/vaccineinus.htm</ref>

"According to Dr. Barbara Stryjdwska, Clinician at the National Hansen’s Disease Programs in Louisiana, there are only approximately 150 new leprosy cases each year in the United States, and most of these are in immigrants coming from countries where Hansen’s Disease is endemic. In 2002, 96 cases were reported to the [[Center for Disease Control and Prevention]]. The incidence may be greater however, because many patients do not want to be reported because of their immigrant status. Additionally, if patients do not seek or purchase treatment, they are hard to be tracked. ... Because leprosy is such a small problem in the United States, and since 90% of cases are imported (immigrants from countries where leprosy is endemic), there is little reason for a leprosy vaccine to actually be utilized in the United States ...."<ref>http://www.stanford.edu/class/humbio103/ParaSites2006/Leprosy_vaccine/vaccineinus.htm</ref>

== See also ==

== See also ==