The Work of the Leprosy Missionfounded 1874

Ministering in the name of Jesus to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of leprosy sufferers around the world and those with similar disabilities.

Regions of Care

Leprosy

An infectious disease caused by a bacteriumMycobacterium leprae

Affects skin and eyes and muscles such as hands and feet

Attacks nerves in the cool part of the body

If not attended to immediately, it causes deformities

What is leprosy?A disease.

The Disease

Initial SymptomsDevelopment of clearly defined pale

skin patches indicating isolation of bacterium

In extreme cases there is little definition between patches and healthy skin

The Disease

Progression of DiseaseNumbness in hand and feetPatient is susceptible to cuts,

infections and feels no painStiffened musclesLoss of the blinking reflex in the eye

can lead to blindnessIn some cases, amputation of hand

and feet is necessary

The Disease (continued)

Thought to be infectiousCommunicated through airborne

dropletsSneezing or coughingAbout 1,100 new cases detected

each dayOver 95% of the population are

naturally immune

This is Basarul.

He has leprosy.

Facts about Leprosy

One child is diagnosed with leprosy every 2 minutes

Since 1982, over 15 million people have been cured of leprosy with multi-drug therapy

There were over 224,000 cases of leprosy at the beginning of 2007

How Does Leprosy Affect People?

Leprosy affects people both socially and emotionally

There are many myths and fears about this disease

People who contract leprosy are ostracized

Young children, adults, anyone who contracts leprosy are often forced out of their homes and communities

People sometimes cannot work

Leprosy in the PastThe history of leprosy

History of Leprosy

Leprosy has existed since biblical times

Once existed in Europe from 1–2000 BCE, it has since disappeared in Europe

Canada once had 3 leprosy coloniesLeprosy still exists in many countries

in Asia, Latin America, and Africa

Leprosy and Canada

Leprosy no longer a threat in Canada

Came to Canada in 19th century through immigration and infected sailors

Lasted until the mid 20th century

Those with leprosy were sent to D’Arcy Island in British Columbia or Sheldrake Island in New Brunswick

Those with leprosy in Canada endured the same isolation as elsewhere in the world

Modern History of Leprosy

1893: Doctor Armaur Hansen of Norway discovers M. Leprae bacilli

1950s: Doctors begin using Dapsone to treat leprosy

1982: Leprosy develops resistance to Dapsone; the World Health Organization recommends multi-drug treatment

Modern History of Leprosy (cont’d)

Since 1982, Multi-Drug Therapy has made a huge impact

1985 leprosy was considered a health problem in 122 countries

Work has been progressing steadily toward a vaccine

American Leprosy

Missions and The Leprosy

Mission Canada

are continuing to help fund

research.

The “Ideal”

Find every case of leprosy at an early stage

Distribute the cure

Have people remain in their communities and be productive members of society

What are people doing about it?There is a cure, and we’re bringing it to those who need it.

“The Cure”

Curing people of leprosy is a complex process

Must respond to social as well as physical condition

The cure is made of three different antibiotics: Dapsone,Rifampicin, Clofazimineknown together as multi-drug therapy

The Cure

MDT can cure leprosy in as little as 6 months, and for more advanced cases, up to 2 year

Getting people to finish the cure is sometimes problematic considering the length of time they need to take the medication

The Cure (continued)

Leprosy does not cause pain but the process of curing leprosy can be very painful to patients

Patients can have negative reaction to drugs

MDT can cause inflammation of nerves painful swellingPatient may develop nodules on their body

caused by painful swelling of nerve endings

The Cure (continued)

Patients can experience pain after amputation or reconstructive surgery

Curing people with leprosy results in a return to family and to the community and a return to work and a purposeful life

Binta in Reaction to Leprosy Treatment

Binta at Amanawa Hospital

Catch Them Young Program

Vocational Training

Low Cost Housing

Micro Loan Program

Leprosy in the World Today

250,000 new cases per year16 countries with 1000+ new cases~15 million completed MDT3+ million with continuing disability194,000 disability adjusted livesWHO Enhanced Strategy 2011 – 20151 of 17 Neglected Tropical Diseases

Background of Neglected Tropical Diseases

Significant morbidity (1 billion affected)

Strong association with povertyFlourish in poor environmentsTend to co-existPrevalent in tropical areasLargely hidden – rural, remote, slumsSilent – no political voice

Millennium Development Goals

Leprosy work can be linked to 5 MDGs:MDG 6 – Reducing the burden of diseaseMDG 1 – Reduction of poverty

MDG 2 – Education of children

MDG 5 – Maternal healthMDG 8 – Partnerships

WHO Enhanced Global Strategy

Early case detection and treatmentPrevention of disabilityCommunity based rehabilitationPriority: equity, social exclusion,

human rights, discriminationMonitor the threat of drug

resistance

Leprosy and Our Call as Catholics

Jesus reached out to think and touched those affected by leprosy to restore them to health and wholeness

Our Catholic Social Teaching reminds us of the dignity of all persons regardless of physical appearance

Catholic social teaching also calls us to respond to the poor and marginalized everywhere

Leprosy and Our Call as Catholics

Jesus taught us the importance of prayer and sacrifice for others

We can pray for those affected by leprosyWe can fundraise to support multi-drug

therapyWe can raise awareness of the need to

respect the dignity of all personsWe can work to alleviate the link between

leprosy and poverty in developing countries

To learn more about leprosy, visitwww.answeringthecall.ca