World Leprosy Day is observed annually on the last Sunday in January. The goal for World Leprosy Day is to raise the awareness of a disease that many people believe has been eliminated. World Leprosy Day was initiated by French humanitarian Raoul Follereau, in 1954.
Leprosy is a chronic, mildly infectious disease caused by a slow growing bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy was renamed Hansen’s disease. Norwegian scientist Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered the slow-growing bacterium now known as Mycobacterium leprae as the cause of the illness in 1873.
World Leprosy Day 2020
Sunday 26 January 2020 is World Leprosy Day. The majority of people affected by leprosy experiences some form of stigma and discrimination. World Leprosy Day 2020 is focused on ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice.
Theme
- Ending discrimination, stigma and prejudice.
#WorldLeprosyDay
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