Hansen's Disease - FAQs

Hansen’s disease (also known as leprosy) is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium (germ) Mycobacterium leprae. It was discovered by Dr. Gerhard H.A. Hansen in Norway in 1873. Because of the stigma associated with the word “leprosy”, the term Hansen’s disease is often used today.

In 2022, the World Health Organization estimated there were over 174,000 new cases of Hansen's disease reported worldwide. The largest numbers of cases reported are in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, with smaller numbers in South and Central America.

Yes. There are about 120 - 220 newly diagnosed cases reported to the National Hansen’s Disease Program registry each year. The states with the largest number of reported cases are California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, New York, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.

Hansen’s disease specialists believe the germ is airborne. About 95% of the world’s population has a natural protection against the germ which causes Hansen’s disease. The remaining 5% of the world’s population is likely to develop disease if exposed.

Early signs or symptoms of Hansen’s disease include:

• A rash on the stomach area and/or on the arms and legs
• Reddish or pale colored skin patches which do not itch, and which may have lost some feeling
• Skin patches which get larger or do not go away, despite medical treatment
• Bumps and thickening of the skin, especially on the face, ears, arms, and legs
• Loss of feeling or weakness of the fingers or toes
• A painful nerve or weak muscles of the lower arm or leg

Your doctor can make the diagnosis by doing a test where tissue is taken for testing (biopsy).

Hansen’s disease is treated, and cured, with antibiotics. Treatment makes even the most severe cases non-infectious within a few days or weeks of treatment. Early treatment can prevent disabilities associated with Hansen’s disease.

Hansen’s disease is not passed from a mother to her unborn baby. It is not passed through sexual contact.

Hansen’s disease affects the skin, nerves, and moist areas just inside the openings to your body. It causes dryness and stiffness of the skin. In some cases, the affected nerves can swell, causing pain; or there may be loss of feeling, and weakness in the muscles of the hands or feet. If left untreated, there can be worsening and permanent damage to the skin, arms, legs, and eyes. Early treatment can prevent disabilities.

No. This is one of the myths about Hansen’s disease. Numbness in the hands and feet can cause injuries to the fingers and toes. If there is loss of feeling, the fingers and toes become more at risk of repeated injury and infection. However, they never just “fall off”. Early detection and treatment is key to avoiding these problems.

A person with Hansen’s disease can continue to work and lead an active life.

The origins of the stigma are based on fear and an assumption it is the same disease mentioned in the bible as leprosy. The stigma has been handed down from generation to generation in all parts of the world, in many cultural ways, including figures of speech, art, religion and recently, movies and television. It is one of many communicable diseases diagnosed and successfully treated in present day. This stigma, continues to cause trauma and emotional pain to those affected.

There are four clinics in Texas located in Amarillo, Denton, Harlingen, and San Antonio that provides outpatient care for people with Hansen’s disease. Contact information is found here: dshs.texas.gov/hansens-disease-leprosy