Leprosy in Myanmar, epidemiological and operational changes, 1958-92

The registered caseload and prevalence of leprosy have declined in Myanmar from a peak of 86.2 per 10,000 population (95% CI 85.43-86.97) in 1973-77 to 26.82 (95% CI 18.46-35.18) in 1988-92. The new case detection rates have also declined from 7.41 per 10,000 (95% CI 6.3- 8.52) in 1968-72 to 1.96 (95% CI 1.43-2.52) in 1988-92. The increase in the multibacillary proportion of new cases from 11.85% (95% CI 11.84-11.86) in 1968-72 to 40.54% (95% CI 37.2-43.88) in 1988-92 and the decline in proportion of new cases under 14 years of age from 26.81% (95% CI 26.8-26.82) in 1968-72 to 11.22% (95% CI 10.92-11.52), coupled with the finding of declining detection rates among school children and in mass village surveys could mean that the incidence of leprosy may be declining.