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Leprosy in England and Wales
P Van Buynder1, J Eccleston, J Leese
1PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, London.
Communicable Disease and Public Health
|July 14, 1999
Summary
Leprosy is rare in England and Wales, with few new cases annually. Clinician unfamiliarity can delay diagnosis and reporting of this debilitating disease.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is a chronic infectious disease primarily affecting the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, eyes, and testes.
- While historically prevalent, leprosy has been largely controlled globally, yet remains a concern in specific regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review leprosy cases notified in England and Wales since 1951.
- To analyze trends in leprosy incidence and identify challenges in diagnosis and reporting.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of leprosy case data.
- Analysis of notifications to the Central Leprosy Register in England and Wales.
Main Results:
- Leprosy is a rare condition in England and Wales, with an average of fewer than ten cases notified annually in recent years.
- No indigenous cases of leprosy have been reported since it became a notifiable disease.
- Despite low incidence, leprosy is debilitating, and clinician unfamiliarity can cause diagnostic delays and undernotification.
Conclusions:
- Leprosy incidence remains very low in England and Wales.
- Challenges in clinical recognition may contribute to diagnostic delays and underreporting.
- Continued vigilance and education are necessary for effective management of imported leprosy cases.