Does anyone in the UK have leprosy?
Question
In the year of 2009, is there anyone in the UK who is suffering from leprosy? If so, where and how did they get it and how are they being treated?
Steve, Epsom
Answer
Name: Patricia
Qualification: Used to work for an African leprosy charity
Answer: Leprosy was eradicated in the UK more than 40 years ago. Anyone in the UK who does have the disease may have picked it up in Asia or Africa, where it is still predominent. In the UK, they would go to hospital and because it's so contagious, lots of details are taken. It is necessary that they remain on their own for a while to avoid transmitting the disease, but it can be treated with large doses of a drug called NBS.