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

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 globally1 was achieved in 2000 (as per World Health Assembly resolution 44.9) and in most countries by 2010.