Leprosy settlement. A man and his wife,both of whom have leprosy,with their daughter and grandchildren,who do not have the disease. Leprosy is a neurological disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Damage to the nerves can lead to disfiguring skin lesions,deformities,and loss of the extremities. The disease is spread by droplet infection,but it is not very contagious and is curable with medication. It occurs more commonly among those living in poverty,and sufferers are often stigmatised. Photographed at the Jongaya settlement for people with leprosy in Makassar,Sulawesi,Indonesia |