Charles Savona-Ventura

Leprosy Archives - Maltese Islands Charles Savona-Ventura

Hansen's Disease or Leprosy is now considered "extinct" on the Maltese Islands with no cases being reported in the Maltese native population. While the infection is no longer considered endemic, vigilance is still required in the light of the present problem of irregular immigration from the African coast from regions where the disease is still prevalent. The road towards eridicating the infection from the Maltese community has been a long and often painful one. This work presents archival information about the historical development of the disease in the Maltese community, hopefully serving as an easily accessible source for researchers in the medical and social history relating to the disease within the Maltese commuinity.