Contrary to popular belief, leprosy does not cause
rotting flesh or the loss of limbs. It is actually a disease (now
called Hansen’s disease, named after Gerhard Hansen a Norwegian
physician who discovered the leprosy bacteria that damages nerve
endings and effects the skin. Because of the numbness caused by
leprosy, a sufferer can be unaware of harming himself accidentally.
It is this accidental harm that can lead to infections and,
consequently, the loss of limbs.
Leprosy has been treatable since the 1930s, but to this day there
remain leper colonies in some nations such as India, Japan, and
China.
Armadillos also carry leprosy and can transmit it to humans. Ninety
five percent of humans are naturally immune to the disease, and the
remaining five percent can be easily and successfully cured of it.