Which Country is the First to Eliminate Leprosy?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has officially recognized Jordan as the first country globally to eliminate leprosy, a major achievement in public health.

“WHO congratulates Jordan on this impressive milestone,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. He emphasized that leprosy has plagued humanity for centuries, but through concerted efforts, countries are successfully stopping its transmission and relieving affected individuals and communities from its associated suffering and stigma.

The WHO noted that Jordan has not reported any local cases of leprosy for over 20 years. This achievement is credited to “strong political commitment and effective public health strategies.” The declaration came after an independent assessment was conducted to confirm the country's progress in eliminating the disease, following the Ministry of Health's initiative to verify its status.

“Jordan’s elimination of this age-old disease is a historic milestone in public health and a huge success for global leprosy elimination efforts,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia and head of WHO’s Global Leprosy Programme. Wazed highlighted that addressing leprosy goes beyond medical treatment; it involves combating stigma and the psychological and socio-economic harm that accompanies the disease.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious illness caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, and eyes. The disease can be transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated cases.

Leprosy is fully treatable with multidrug therapy (MDT), and early diagnosis is key to preventing disability. Despite its elimination in Jordan, leprosy remains a neglected tropical disease that still affects over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported annually. According to 2019 data, countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia each reported over 10,000 new cases, while several others, including Bangladesh and Ethiopia, reported between 1,000 and 10,000 new cases.

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