During the Middle Ages, infectious diseases caused havoc and terror among the society of the time. Two of them, curiously caused by bacteria of the genus Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis and M. leprae): tuberculosis and leprosy.

Throughout medieval times, people with leprosy were separated and isolated from society. They were sent to Leprosariums that proliferated on the margins of European cities. Although they could leave them, they were forced to stigma: they wore a distinctive habit with a hat and hood and they must notify others of their presence, either by ringing a hand bell or a kind of wooden tablet called a rattle.

Towards the end of the middle age, leprosy was progressively reduced. However, the stigma towards those who suffer from this disease maintained over time, as it accounts the large number of representations of lepers in art, and even today there is discrimination and stigma towards those suffering from leprosy.

In Mexico, between 1989 and 2017, leprosy decreased 97%, from 16 thousand 694 to 412 cases; The largest number was concentrated in Guerrero, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Sinaloa and Michoacán.

The number of new cases at the country level was 140, that is, an incidence rate of 0.113 per 10 thousand habitants. Since 1994, Mexico has managed to reduce leprosy as a public health problem, by reaching the goal of the World Health Organization of less than 1 case per 10 thousand inhabitants.

Through the National Center for Preventive Programs and Disease Control (CENAPRECE) of Mexico, the Ministry of Health has a Prevention and Control of Leprosy Program, whose main challenges are:

  • Train health sector personnel to enhance diagnosis and treatment.
  • Examine at least 90% of contacts.
  • Ensure free treatment for all patients.
  • Cure 95% of patients admitted to treatment.
  • Reduce municipalities with leprosy prevalence equal to or greater than one per 10,000 habitants in endemic states.

With the aim of raising awareness and reducing the stigma towards those who contract this disease, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calls to commemorate the last Sunday of January the World Day against Leprosy.

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