- Hansen’s disease is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
- Today, Hansen’s disease has become curable without leaving any physical disability due to the administration of a combination of 3-4 drugs, known as multidrug therapy, for a prescribed duration.
- Today, the global prevalence of Hansen’s disease has declined due to general improvements in hygiene and health, such as better diet and a supply of clean water in homes and schools. Today there are hardly any new case in Japan.
- It is very important to have enough to eat, clean drinking water and good quality sleep to eliminate Hansen’s disease.
- Even when and if someone contracts Hansen’s disease, it is possible to continue to live a normal everyday life and go to school and to work.
- Those who have permanent physical impairments as after-effect, caused by delayed treatment of Hansen’s disease, are being treated in various ways such as regenerative medicine and/or supportive devices. Thus, they are able to live with their disabilities after rehabilitation into society.
