Why is leprosy also called Hansens disease?
The medical name for leprosy is Hansen’s disease. Dr. Armauer Hansen of Norway was the first to see the leprosy germ under a microscope. This was 1873, and Hansen’s discovery was revolutionary. The evidence was clear: a germ (Mycobacterium leprae) causes leprosy. It was not hereditary, a curse, or from sin. ^ back to top 1. 3 Is leprosy in the Bible the same as it is today? No. The Hebrew word for leprosy refers to many types of skin diseases. ^ back to top 1.4 How is it spread? In most cases, it is spread through long-term contact with a person who has the disease but has not been treated. Most people will never develop the disease even if they are exposed to the bacteria. Of the world’s population, 95% have a natural immunity to leprosy. In South Louisiana and Texas, some armadillos carry this bacteria. We do not know for certain if humans can get the bacteria from armadillos. ^ back to top 1.5 Is leprosy a genetic disease? Leprosy is not a genetic disease. Most people with leprosy d
