Leprosy's enduring stigma
Leprosy patient Satnarayan Singh, 86, sits outside his shop at a leper colony in New Delhi, India, Feb. 5, 2014.
Although India has made great strides against leprosy over the years, the stigma of the disease is as intractable as ever, hindering efforts to eliminate the disease entirely.
Worldwide, the number of new leprosy patients has dropped from around 10 million in 1991 to around 230,000 last year.
Of these, 58 percent were to be found in India, according to the World Health Organization.
New Delhi
New Delhi
An Indian woman suffering from leprosy eats food at a leper colony in New Delhi, Feb. 16, 2014 .
People continue to hide their diagnoses from families and loved ones out of fear they will be ostracized. Employers regularly turn away people who have had the disease, even if they've been treated and cured. Many struggle to get driver's licenses and other routine documents. Even the disease-free children of leprosy patients are shunned.
New Delhi
An Indian man suffering from leprosy helps a leprosy-affected woman at a leper colony in New Delhi, Feb. 16, 2014.
Public health centers across the country have launched campaigns describing leprosy as the world's "least contagious communicable disease." Health workers are trying to spread the word that leprosy is not hereditary and does not spread through normal contact.
New Delhi
An Indian suffering from leprosy writes note in his office at a leper colony in New Delhi, Feb. 16, 2014.
The deformities that are the hallmark of leprosy contribute to the fear surrounding the disease, a chronic bacterial infection that often lies dormant for years before attacking the body's nerves and slowly causing numbness. Hands and feet eventually claw inward and serious injuries often go unnoticed because no pain is felt. Often fingers and toes are lost due to injuries and sores. Scientists believe it is spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing during prolonged contact with someone infected, but they are still not completely sure.
New Delhi
Indian men suffering from leprosy sunbathe at a leper colony in New Delhi, Feb. 5, 2014.
Also called Hansen's disease, leprosy has been curable since the 1940s thanks to antibiotics, and the worst physical deformities can be avoided if it is caught in time. About 95 percent of people have a natural immunity.
New Delhi
Leprosy patient Uttam Kumar has his dressing changed at a leper colony in New Delhi, Feb. 20, 2014.
The Indian government is stepping up its fight against the disease, assigning additional health workers to 209 districts seen as high endemic areas in 16 states. But that won't end the pain and stigma that leprosy brings to patients and their families.
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi
