Today it was announced that Chile has been officially verified as having eliminated leprosy, reporting it’s last locally acquired case in 1993.
The announcement from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) states Chile is the first country in the Americas—and the second globally (Jordan 2024)—to achieve this public health achievement.
The verification recognizes more than three decades of sustained public health action, robust surveillance, long-term political commitment, and a health system that has remained vigilant even in the absence of local transmission.
“Chile’s achievement demonstrates that eliminating leprosy is achievable and requires building strong systems that can detect, respond to, and provide comprehensive care for people affected by the disease, including those living with chronic disabilities,” said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. “Being the first country in the Americas to be confirmed as eliminating leprosy sends a powerful message to the Region—that diseases strongly linked to groups living in vulnerable conditions can be eliminated, contributing to interrupt the vicious circle between disease and poverty.”
Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes. If untreated, it can lead to permanent nerve damage, disabilities, and social stigma. However, leprosy is fully curable with multidrug therapy, and early detection prevents complications.
As a neglected tropical disease, leprosy persists in over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases annually worldwide.
The elimination of leprosy is defined as: zero new autochthonous cases for at least three consecutive years after having interrupted transmission for at least five years.