Brazil
History of Hansen’s Disease in this country
There were no cases of Hansen’s disease in Brazil until the 16th century, when European colonisers began to arrive from countries such as Portugal, Spain, France and The Netherlands where Hansen’s disease was endemic.
During the 18th century the Portuguese shipped nearly four million slaves into Brazil from West Africa.
Internal migration throughout history and the development of shanty towns (favelas) after the abolition of slavery in major cities is thought to have contributed to the continued transmission of Hansen’s disease in this country.
1912-1920
Health authorities established the Inspectorship for the Prophylaxis of Leprosy and Venereal Diseases. All Hansen’s Disease patients were obliged to go to leprosaria and were treated with chaulmoogra oil.
1935
Leprosy control extended to care of family members.
1941
National Leprosy Service established. Vertical control failed to control new cases and the forced isolation of patients increased fear of, and the stigma surrounding, Hansen’s Disease.
1961
Compulsory segregation of people affected by leprosy ended. Care became ambulatory.
In late 1960s
Hansen’s Disease Control Activities were integrated with primary health care through the National Division of Sanitary Dermatology.
1982
Multidrug therapy (MDT) first used at the Instituto de Dermatologia Tropical Alfredo da Matta in Manaus and at the Hospital Estadual do Curupaiti in Rio de Janeiro.
1986
Ministry of Health began its own National MDT Project in certain areas.
1991
MDT made official treatment nationwide by the Ministry of Health.
2008
Brazil currently records the second most cases of leprosy in the world.
Treatment for Hansen’s disease is in the process of being integrated into the general health services in Brazil.
Click on the following link to search for more historical information related to Hansen's disease in Brazil:
http://www.leprosyhistory.org/english/search.htm
Hansen’s Disease
Today in Brazil leprosy is referred to as “hanseníase” or “Hansen’s disease” as it is known in English (named after Dr Gerhard Armauer Hansen, who discovered Mycobacterium leprae in 1873).
A former doctor and professor of dermatology in São Paulo, Abrahão Rotberg, is recognised as having played an instrumental role in the introduction of this new term as did members of MORHAN, the Movement for the Reintegration of Persons Affected by Hansen’s Disease. He campaigned for this name change in the 1970s with a movement led by the Brazilian Dermatology and Leprosy Society. “Hanseníase” was formally adopted by decree 14th May 1976 by the National Sanitary Dermatology Division.
See also:
The Influence of the Change of the Terminology Leprosy by Hanseniasis in Former Patients Residents of Former Hospital Colony
MEN Gallo, IAL Cavalieri, DR Nascimento: meng@ioc.fiocruz.br
Abstract O-262 in 17th International Leprosy Congress Abstracts Publication
http://www.leprosy-ila.org/17th-ilc/free_papers/free_papers_social_aspects.pdf
Rotberg N Factor
Abrahão Rotberg prepared a thesis on genetics and resistance to disease. He wrote of the existence of specific and natural immunity to Mycobacterium leprae (Factor N) in most people; he believed the possibility of individuals developing severe and contagious forms was related, therefore, to a defect in the immunity of a small minority of the population. He reported on these findings in Brazil in 1937 and then, internationally at the Cairo Congress in 1938 and the 6th Pacific Science Congress (San Francisco) in 1939.
Links
The websites of the following organisations, which are carrying out anti-leprosy activities in Brazil, may also be of interest:
- Casa de Bacurau
- Instituto Lauro da Souza Lima Hospital
- Ministério da Saúde do Brasil (Ministry of Health of Brazil)
- MORHAN - Movimento de Reintegração das Pessoas Atingidas pela Hanseníase (Movement for the Reintegration of People Affected by Leprosy)
- OPAS - Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde (in English PAHO - Pan-American Health Organization)
These organisations appear in alphabetical order in the links section: http://www.ilep.org.uk/links/