About Leprosy

You probably don't want to read a long medical description of leprosy, so instead here are the answers to the most common questions we get asked about leprosy, some of which you're probably thinking right now.

1. Does leprosy still exist?
2. What causes leprosy?
3. Is leprosy infectious?
4. What happens if you catch it?
5. Is leprosy curable?
6. How many people are affected by leprosy?
7. Is there any leprosy in Scotland?

Not any more.

It used to be widespread. You can still see the sites of former colonies at a number of places around the country and many older church buildings have little windows, known as "squints" which enabled those affected by leprosy in the parish to hear the service going on inside while preventing them from coming into contact with the rest of the congregation.

It is well over a hundred years since somebody is known to have contracted leprosy in Scotland though more recently, and still occasionally today, people who contracted it overseas are treated here. The difficulty with which it spreads and the ease of treatment available mean that there is no risk of you catching leprosy in Scotland.

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