Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy; Mycobacterium leprae)
Reportable by Laboratories and ProvidersAbout this Reportable Disease
Infectious agent: Mycobacterium leprae
Description of illness: Hansen’s disease (also known as leprosy) is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured.
Interactive Disease Data
Laboratory Reporting for this Disease
Reporting requirements apply to all laboratories located within Tennessee, as well as laboratories outside of Tennessee that test residents of Tennessee, including laboratories located within healthcare facilities. Healthcare providers and laboratories in the same healthcare facility both have a duty to report. The type of organisms and analytes laboratories must report to TDH for 2026 are indicated, and there are several ways laboratories can report results to TDH.
- Manually report results to TDH by faxing or mailing a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department, or faxing to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
- Automatically submit results to TDH via electronic laboratory reporting (ELR), which automates the process of sharing data with TDH using interoperability standards.
- See the ELR Onboarding Handbook for details on the onboarding process, checklist, frequently asked questions, business rules, message format, and vocabulary.
- To initiate the ELR onboarding process with TDH, register in the Trading Partner Registration (TPR) system TPR provides documentation for Promoting Interoperability (PI) attestation and milestone letters to document onboarding progress. Contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
- Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
- Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for Healthcare Providers
Clinical Summary
- Hansen’s disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae (and M. lepromatosis). The organism replicates very slowly, and incubation is often long; U.S. disease is rare but persists.
- Clinical disease primarily involves peripheral nerves and skin (with possible eye and nasal mucosa involvement). Key clues include hypopigmented or erythematous skin lesions with sensory loss, peripheral neuropathy, and nerve enlargement/tenderness; delayed recognition increases the risk of permanent nerve injury/disability.
- Diagnosis is clinical plus laboratory support as needed (e.g., tissue/skin smear or biopsy for acid-fast bacilli; species confirmation/typing typically coordinated through reference/public health resources). Because culture is not feasible on routine bacteriologic media, coordinate early with specialists/public health for optimal testing pathways.
- Treatment is curative with multidrug antibiotic therapy (MDT); management often includes monitoring/management of immune-mediated reactions and neuropathy risk. Public health coordination supports surveillance and prevention of disability.
Healthcare Provider Reporting
Healthcare reporting requirements apply to all providers located within Tennessee, as well as providers whose patients reside in Tennessee.
Providers must report cases of all diseases and conditions listed through one of these methods:
• Mail or fax a completed PH-1600 form to your local health department or fax to the state health office at (615) 741-3857
• Send automatically via electronic case reporting (eCR). See this TDH webpage for more information on eCR, register at the Trader Partner Registration website, or contact MU.Health@tn.gov for assistance.
• Submit online via NBS. NBS is TDH's reportable disease system. To request an NBS account for reporting Complete this user survey to request an NBS account for reporting.
• Blood lead levels can be sent via fax ( (615) 741-3857), entered online, or reported using the instructions at this link.
Information about this Reportable Disease for the Public
What Is It
Hansen’s disease (leprosy) is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria, most commonly Mycobacterium leprae (and sometimes Mycobacterium lepromatosis). It can affect the skin, nerves, eyes, and lining of the nose. With early diagnosis and treatment, it can be cured.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms can include skin patches that are lighter than normal skin, numbness or reduced sensation (especially pain/temperature), weakness, and eye problems. Nerve damage can reduce feeling in hands and feet, increasing the risk of injuries that go unnoticed.
How It Spreads
Hansen’s disease is hard to catch. When it spreads, it is thought to happen mainly through prolonged, close contact with an untreated person and exposure to respiratory droplets over time—not through casual contact like shaking hands or sitting near someone.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis is made by a healthcare provider based on the exam and laboratory testing as needed. Treatment uses antibiotics and is effective; people can usually continue normal activities during treatment. Early treatment helps prevent disability.
Additional Information That Helps Reduce Stigma
Hansen’s disease is completely curable, and most people are not easily infected. People receiving appropriate treatment can often live and work normally, and early care helps prevent long-term complications.
This Page Last Updated: March 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM