Japan Resort Refuses Leprosy Patients

[Socialist Christian]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=516&ncid=721&e=10&u=/ap/20031121/ap_on_re_as/japan_leprosy


<snip>
TOKYO - Japan's Justice Ministry filed a criminal complaint Friday against a hot springs resort for refusing to let a group of former leprosy patients take a dip in its communal baths.



The Kurokawa Onsen Hotel is accused of violating a national law requiring hotels to accept anyone who does not have a contagious disease. The charge carries a fine of up to $180.


"It is a serious violation of human rights," Justice Minister Daizo Nozawa said. "We'd like learn from this case as we strengthen efforts to eliminate misunderstanding and prejudice toward leprosy sufferers."


The hotel canceled the group's reservations after discovering the would-be guests are residents of a nearby leprosy treatment center, according to the complaint filed in the southeastern prefecture of Kumamoto.

[demdave]

1. I need some medical advice here, please.

I know there are communicable and non-communicabl, and I think some hard to pass than others even, forms of leprosy....but does someone know the facts about curing leprosy? Is this a total cure? What, if any, are the relapse rates? Are all forms curable or just some?


Please no baseless guessing and opinions, I would like to hear fact. I don't absolutely trust health issues to google searches, but I will try to inform myself there in the meantime. Thanks.

After searching.....

WHO consultant Derek Lobo said it is a moral obligation for all to come to the aid of the leprosy victims as the disease is totally curable.

He categorically said that leprosy was not a skin disease and it did not spread through skin contact. It was an air-borne disease which could easily be cured if detected at the early stage, he added, Deputy Programme Manager (Leprosy), Jalal Uddin listed different government steps to eliminate leprosy by 2000.

I am still open to other info.

[truthisfreedom]

2. i don't feel terribly comfortable when i hear the word "leprosy" either.

i imagine the stigma could be pretty intense... after all, people all share the same hot springs... it's not like they can "rinse them out."