Transmission Transmission

Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium that causes Leprosy, has a long incubation period, which makes it hard to identify the exact source of infection. Nevertheless, it is known that Leprosy is contracted by inhaling cough or sneeze droplets as well as being in very close and prolonged contact with someone with untreated Leprosy.

Are patients being treated for Leprosy contagious?

Patients receiving treatment can no longer spread the bacterium even if they are not fully cured yet!

How prolonged should contact with an infected individual be to lead to transmission?

Random contact with an infected person does not lead to transmission of the infection. For instance, hugging infected patients, sitting next to them, or holding hands with them will not spread the disease Also, Leprosy is neither transmitted sexually nor from a mother to her fetus through the placenta. Is Leprosy only transmitted from one human to another?

Humans are not the only organisms that can transmit the disease. Armadillos naturally host this bacterium and can transmit it to humans via contact, but the the risk of contracting the bacterium from this animal is very low.