Progress towards elimination of leprosy in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Although leprosy ceased to be a global public health problem in 2000, some countries are still reporting new cases.

To evaluate progress towards the interruption of leprosy transmission, and its elimination, in the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

We extracted and analysed leprosy data for 2012-2023 for the Eastern Mediterranean Region countries from the WHO Global Health Observatory. We calculated the new case detection rates, the Grade 2 disabilities case rates and the new child cases per million population.

New case detection rate increased from 3.7 per million population in 2012 to 6.0 in 2018 and then decreased to 3.6 in 2023. Among children aged < 15 years, new case detection rate increased from 0.6 cases per million in 2012 to 1.3 in 2017 and then decreased to 0.5 in 2023. The proportion of females among new cases increased from 34.4% in 2012 to 42.0% in 2023. Grade 2 disability rate decreased from 0.5 cases per million population in 2012 to 0.3 in 2023. By 2023, Egypt, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen accounted for 94% of cases. Thirteen countries reported 0-10 new autochthonous cases annually. The proportion of non-autochthonous cases increased from 3.4% in 2016 to 4.2% in 2023.

Some Eastern Mediterranean Region countries are progressing towards the elimination of leprosy. The decrease in leprosy cases among children in the region indicates a reduction in active transmission. Continuous investment by all the countries will enhance early diagnosis and detection, ensure effective disease management and promote social inclusion as outlined by the WHO global leprosy strategy.