Global leprosy (Hansen disease) update, 2019: time to step-up prevention initiatives

Overview

Leprosy is a neglected tropical disease (NTD), which still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200 000 new cases reported every year. It also causes more physical deformity than other infectious diseases. Stigmatization of persons affected by leprosy continues to hamper early detection, and instances of discrimination against such persons are reported. National programmes have been using time-tested strategies, i.e. early detection and prompt treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT). Elimination of leprosy as a public health problem globally was achieved in 2000 (as per World Health Assembly resolution 44.9) and in most countries by 2010.  

The WHO Global leprosy strategy 2016–2020 recommends enhanced case detection in both high- and low-burden settings. WHO sends more than 200 shipments of MDT drugs, donated by Novartis, annually to more than 90 countries. Anti-leprosy medicines are thus available free of charge in even the remotest parts of the world. In many countries, leprosy programmes have been supported by partner organizations, and networks of affected persons also implement interventions, develop global and national policies and strategies and promote improvement of access to social entitlements, benefits and welfare for people affected by leprosy. The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL) was formed in 2018 to facilitate alignment of the leprosy community, including networks of persons affected by leprosy, national governments, civil society organizations, donor agencies and individuals.