How is leprosy transmitted?
The path of transmission is not known precisely. Poverty-induced living conditions – particularly in the countries of the “Third World” – are conducive to the infection. For this reason, leprosy also often afflicts undernourished and malnutritioned people, who must live in poor and confined living conditions. Leprosy is a disease of poverty and must always be considered in the context of the general living conditions of the affected persons. In the Middle Ages, leprosy was a serious problem in Europe as well. With the improvement of general living conditions, however, this disease of poverty disappeared. Incidentally: Out of 100 persons in the world, 95 have an innate defence against the leprosy virus.
