Daijiworld Media Network – Santiago

Santiago, Mar 5: In a significant global public health milestone, Chile has become the first country in the Americas to be officially verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for eliminating leprosy.

The certification recognises decades of sustained public health efforts, strong surveillance systems and a continued commitment to disease control even after cases became rare. According to the WHO and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Chile has reported no locally acquired cases of leprosy for over 30 years, with the last recorded case dating back to 1993.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious illness caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, eyes and respiratory mucosa. Though fully curable, untreated leprosy can lead to severe disabilities, nerve damage and long-standing social stigma.

Chile’s achievement makes it only the second country globally to receive WHO verification for eliminating leprosy, after Jordan achieved the milestone in 2024.

The WHO’s verification followed an extensive evaluation by an independent panel of experts. At the request of Chile’s Ministry of Health, epidemiological data, surveillance mechanisms, case management protocols and long-term sustainability plans were thoroughly reviewed to confirm the interruption of local transmission.

Officials noted that Chile’s health system remains capable of identifying and responding to imported cases, ensuring the disease does not re-establish local transmission. Even after transmission ceased, leprosy continued to be a notifiable disease in the country, helping maintain vigilance and rapid response capacity.

Globally, efforts to combat leprosy have significantly reduced its burden. According to WHO data, 172,717 new cases were reported worldwide in 2024. Despite progress, the disease persists in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America, where delayed diagnosis and limited access to healthcare continue to enable transmission.

Leprosy is classified as one of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). To address the issue, WHO launched the Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030 aimed at interrupting transmission, reducing disabilities and eliminating stigma.

Public health experts attribute Chile’s success to:

• Continuous disease surveillance and mandatory case reporting

• Early diagnosis and universal access to multidrug therapy

• Strong, integrated healthcare systems

• Collaboration with international partners, including WHO and PAHO

Since 1995, WHO has coordinated programmes providing multidrug therapy free of cost to countries worldwide, significantly contributing to reduced prevalence.

Health experts say Chile’s milestone demonstrates that eliminating ancient infectious diseases is achievable with sustained political will, robust healthcare infrastructure and early treatment access. However, challenges such as delayed diagnosis, weak surveillance in some regions and persistent stigma continue to hamper global elimination efforts.

Chile’s verification marks a historic moment in the global fight against neglected tropical diseases and offers a replicable model for countries striving to meet WHO’s 2030 transmission interruption targets.