Tie-Jun Shui1, Heng Long2, Li Xiong1, Xiao-Hong Zhang1, Jun He1, Xiaohua Chen3,4. 1. Yunnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Yunnan, China. 2. Wenshan Institute of Dermatology, Wenshan Dermatology Hospital, The Alliance Hospital of the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan, China. 3. Beijing Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. 4. Beijing Key Laboratory for Research on Prevention and Treatment of Tropical Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study reviews the progress of leprosy elimination in Yunnan, China, over the past 30 years and identifies the challenges for the next stage of the program. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Data were collected from the Leprosy Management Information System in China (LEPMIS). The progress made in the elimination of leprosy between 1990 and 2019 was measured. We defined two time periods, time period 1 (1990-2003) and time period 2 (2004-2019), because multidrug therapy (MDT) was launched for the treatment of leprosy in 1990 and a special fund from the central government was established for leprosy in 2004. During the past 30 years, the number of newly detected leprosy patients in Yunnan has steadily declined. In total, 703 newly detected leprosy patients were reported in 1990, and 353 and 136 cases were reported at the end of 2003 and 2019, respectively. At the end of 1990, 90.7% (117/129) of counties in Yunnan Province were identified as leprosy-endemic counties (>1 case per 100,000 population). By the end of 2003 and 2019, 39.3% (46/117) and 85.5% (100/117) of the leprosy-endemic counties, respectively, had dropped below the elimination threshold. The main challenges are the remaining leprosy-endemic counties, the high rate of cases with a contact history, insufficient early detection, and leprosy cases resulting in physical disability. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A multifaceted strategy for leprosy elimination in Yunnan Province has been successfully implemented, and remarkable progress has been made in the elimination of leprosy in this area. The priorities for leprosy elimination in the next stage are securing sustainable support and investment from the government, establishing an effective surveillance system, ensuring prompt early detection, providing treatment with MDT, preventing transmission of M. leprae, preventing disability, providing health education, and preventing recurrence of the epidemic situation of leprosy.
BACKGROUND: This study reviews the progress of leprosy elimination in Yunnan, China, over the past 30 years and identifies the challenges for the next stage of the program. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Data were collected from the Leprosy Management Information System in China (LEPMIS). The progress made in the elimination of leprosy between 1990 and 2019 was measured. We defined two time periods, time period 1 (1990-2003) and time period 2 (2004-2019), because multidrug therapy (MDT) was launched for the treatment of leprosy in 1990 and a special fund from the central government was established for leprosy in 2004. During the past 30 years, the number of newly detected leprosypatients in Yunnan has steadily declined. In total, 703 newly detected leprosypatients were reported in 1990, and 353 and 136 cases were reported at the end of 2003 and 2019, respectively. At the end of 1990, 90.7% (117/129) of counties in Yunnan Province were identified as leprosy-endemic counties (>1 case per 100,000 population). By the end of 2003 and 2019, 39.3% (46/117) and 85.5% (100/117) of the leprosy-endemic counties, respectively, had dropped below the elimination threshold. The main challenges are the remaining leprosy-endemic counties, the high rate of cases with a contact history, insufficient early detection, and leprosy cases resulting in physical disability. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: A multifaceted strategy for leprosy elimination in Yunnan Province has been successfully implemented, and remarkable progress has been made in the elimination of leprosy in this area. The priorities for leprosy elimination in the next stage are securing sustainable support and investment from the government, establishing an effective surveillance system, ensuring prompt early detection, providing treatment with MDT, preventing transmission of M. leprae, preventing disability, providing health education, and preventing recurrence of the epidemic situation of leprosy.
Authors: Mariana V C Nicchio; Sergio Araujo; Lorraine C Martins; Andressa V Pinheiro; Daniela C Pereira; Angélica Borges; Douglas E Antunes; Josafá G Barreto; Isabela Maria B Goulart Journal: Acta Trop Date: 2016-07-25 Impact factor: 3.112
Authors: Maria L N Moura; Kathryn M Dupnik; Gabriel A A Sampaio; Priscilla F C Nóbrega; Ana K Jeronimo; Jose M do Nascimento-Filho; Roberta L Miranda Dantas; Jose W Queiroz; James D Barbosa; Gutemberg Dias; Selma M B Jeronimo; Marcia C F Souza; Maurício L Nobre Journal: PLoS Negl Trop Dis Date: 2013-03-14
Authors: Celivane Cavalcanti Barbosa; Gilberto Silva Nunes Bezerra; Amanda Tavares Xavier; Maria de Fátima Pessoa Militão de Albuquerque; Cristine Vieira do Bonfim; Zulma Maria de Medeiros; Wayner Vieira de Souza Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-26 Impact factor: 4.614