The day first observed in the year 1954, is dedicated to raising awareness of these issues and the objective behind this day is to eradicate leprosy from the core.

Once called the ‘separating sickness’ for the way in which it separated families, Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a slow-multiplying bacteria that incubates for up to five years.

Sometimes, it can take 20 years for symptoms of the disease to appear.

They typically include painful skin lesions and growths; thick, stiff, or dry skin; muscle weakness and paralysis, enlarged nerves, eye problems, and ulcers on the bottom of feet.

Leprosy can result in numbness in some parts of the body.