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[Leprosy surveillance in low-prevalence situations]
1Instituto Pedro Kourí, Subdirección de Epidemiología, Apartado 601, Playa, La Habana.ochoa@ipksld.cu
Summary
Latin American countries achieved leprosy reduction goals. New strategies are needed to eliminate remaining disease pockets by strengthening surveillance and refining interventions for the post-elimination phase.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Tropical Medicine
Context:
- Leprosy prevalence reduced to <1 per 10,000 in most Latin American countries.
- Focus shifts to eliminating disease in persistent high-transmission "pockets".
- Demographic transition and need for sensitive indicators necessitate strategic changes.
Purpose:
- To outline necessary strategic shifts for leprosy elimination in Latin America.
- To propose redesigning surveillance systems for integrated components.
- To develop indicators for monitoring post-elimination action plans.
Summary:
- Recommends identifying priority areas, customizing interventions, and enhancing surveillance (passive and active).
- Advocates for integrated surveillance systems combining clinical, laboratory, epidemiological research, and supply chain management.
- Aims to establish a core set of indicators for evaluating post-elimination strategies.
Impact:
- Facilitates targeted efforts to achieve regional and local leprosy elimination.
- Improves disease monitoring and resource allocation for sustained control.
- Provides a framework for effective management of leprosy in the post-elimination era.