17. Century B.C.
In the Hammurabi Code, the Written Law of the Babylonian King Hammurabi, the concept of leprosy first appears in legal regulation for the exclusion of sufferers from society.
Antiquity
600 B.C.: Leprosy is mentioned and named in Indian Sanskrit as "kushtha", "eating away"; 200 B.C. also in the Hebrew Original of the Old Testament as "tsaraath".
Late Middle Ages
Widespread prevalence in Central Europe up to the 17th Century with 20,000 leproseries.
1873
The Norwegian Doctor G.A. Hansen discovers the mycobacterium leprae.
1941
First application of the drug dapson against Lepra.
1962/63
First application of the new agents clofazimin and rifampicin.
1964
Until the late seventies, a widespread primary and secondary resistance to dapson develops, as a result of which this drug becomes useless as monotherapy.
1981
First treatment with the MDT system, a drug cocktail of rifampicin, clofazimin and dapson.
1991
WHO resolves to eliminate leprosy as endemic disease by the year 2000. An elimination as endemic disease is defined as less than 1 registered case of affliction per 10,000 inhabitants.
1993
Recommendation on the standard MDT treatment during 24 months for MB patients and 6 months for PB patients.
1995
Free of charge MDT dispensing by WHO thanks to the Nippon Foundation.
1997
Shortening of the length of the treatment for MB patients from 24 to 12 months.
1999
WHO gives the call for the “Global Alliance for the Elimination of Leprosy as Endemic Disease” until the year 2005. An affliction frequency of under 1 case of affliction per 10,000 inhabitants remains the elimination aim.
2000
In the year 2000, 500,000 new leprosy patients worldwide were detected, the aim of elimination as endemic disease is not achieved in many countries.
The Basel-based pharmaceutical group Novarti, commits itself to dispense the anti-leprosy drugs worldwide for five years free of cost.
2003
Even in the year 2003, almost 500,000 new leprosy patients are detected. The international leprosy relief organisations doubt the possibility of a rapid elimination of the disease in the concerned countries.
2005
Newly developed countries do not achieve the aim of elimination at the national level even in 2005 (Angola, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nepal, Tanzania, Central African Republic). Approx. 85% of all new leprosy patients in the world live in these countries.
Novartis extends its contract with WHO: All anti-leprosy medicines will continue to be dispensed by the group of companies free of charge until 2010.
2006
A dramatic reduction of the number of new cases has occured: During 2005 another 300 000 new cases are registered by WHO. This represents a reduction by 25% within a year, mainly because of the numbers registered in India. There the number of new cases sinks by 35% from 260 063 to
169 709 cases. But many experts doubt that these figures are correct.
A new strategy for the continuation of the fight against leprosy (2006 - 2010) is developed by WHO in cooperation with the leprosy relief organisations of the world.
2007
The new strategy by WHO wants to continue the fight against leprosy by stressing the control measures.
2009
The numbers of new cases published by the WHO indicate a stagnation. App. 250'000 new cases were found in 2008, about the same as in the two previous years. This seems to confirm the forecast of many experts, that medication treatment only (i.e. Multi Drug Therapy) cannot eradicate this disease, but helps to keep incidences on low level. However, should the endeavours in fighting this disease deteriorate leprosy is poised to increase again.
In April, the World Health Organisation (WHO) determines a new strategy in fighting leprosy for the years 2011–2015. Particularly the necessity of adopting additional measures is stipulated. An active search of cases amongst people affected by leprosy shall be readopted in areas with high infestation, in order to find infected people early enough, to treat them even before permanent disabilities occur. Therefore, stated aim of the new WHO strategy is the prevention of disabilities rather than the elimination of the disease.
95% of all new cases live in 17 countries, namely Angola, Bangladesh, Brasil, China, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Philipines, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Tanzania.
Further information on our local leprosy work can be found here:
Once leprosy – always leprosy: Unfortunately, every tenth leprosy patient is still confronted with this fate.
Leprosy, the infectious disease, is curable, the bacteria can be destroyed through antibiotic treatment within six to twelve months.
What the antibiotic treatment cannot, however, achieve, is the restoration of the lost sensation of touch and pain. The mobility of hands and feet is also missing, if their supplying nerves are destroyed.
The typical picture of leprosy with the horrible mutilations, thus, represents a threat even today. These destructions are a result of crippling, injuries, and inflammations – if prevention is missing or ineffective.
Prevention of deterioration, that is the main task for people suffering of leprosy.
Ulcers can be prevented through regular care of the feet and through protective footwear.
Through the use of gloves and the regular anointing of hands, the finger and hands can remain intact.
Through protective glasses, moistening eye drops or ointments, the eyes can be protected.
Still, persons with chronic leprosy condition suffer damages over and over again.
Tough physical work and long journeys on foot lead to stresses, which the damaged hands and feet can often not withstand.
Leprosy hospitals are required worldwide even today, primarily for the treatment and prevention of the serious consequent damages.
The surgical wards are mostly the place of refuge of patients with feet ulcers, hand and eye injuries.
Surgical treatment and physiotherapy costs a lot of money, more money, than the poor patients can pay.
We, therefore, support the running of leprosy hospitals worldwide.