Even these patients, after two weeks of drug therapy cease to spread the disease. Even today, most people with leprosy are shunned by their neighbors and are held at arms length. In the medieval period, leper colonies sprung up where victims of this then-untreatable disease would go to slowly die from the illness. Forest and hilly areas spread over 39,000 kms are relatively inaccessible. There are scattered villages with limited accessibility.
Some people try to hide the disease due to the social stigma and local myths and prejudices.
Some people still believe that Leprosy occurs due to Heredity Immoral behaviour Impure blood Faulty eating habits such as dried fish. Past signs, etc. People think Leprosy spreads in some families only. It can be contacted by mere touch. Leprosy is often associated with deformity.