This chronic infection is caused mainly by Mycobacterium leprae and affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes [1][2]. Clinical presentations correlate with host immunity, spanning from paucibacillary to multibacillary spectra [4][5]. It is classified as a neglected tropical disease with significant public health implications [1][3].
Disease overview
BacterialLeprosy
麻风病
Evidence-backed informationEN 5/7 applicable sections · ZH 5/7 applicable sectionsUpdated Sep 3, 2026
Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by Mycobacterium leprae [1][2]. It affects the skin and peripheral nerves, potentially causing physical deformity and stigmatization despite being curable [1][3]. Approximately 200,000 new cases occur annually across more than 120 countries [1][3].
Read the full clinical and epidemiological profile6
The disease manifests through skin lesions with altered pigmentation and definite loss of sensation, alongside thickened peripheral nerves [2][5]. Symptoms may emerge within one year or take over 20 years, progressing to sensory and motor losses with potential deformities [2][5]. Clinical phenotypes vary from paucibacillary to multibacillary forms depending on the host immune response [4][5].
Leprosy occurs in more than 120 countries, with around 200,000 new cases reported annually [1][3]. As of 2024, Brazil, India, and Indonesia report over 10,000 new cases each, while many other countries report fewer than 1,000 or zero cases [1]. The disease causes significant morbidity in marginalized communities and accounts for a significant proportion of the global disease burden [3].
Transmission is believed to occur through inhalation of droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated case following prolonged, close contact [1][2]. The disease does not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands, hugging, or sharing meals [1][2]. Patients stop transmitting the bacteria upon initiation of treatment [1][2].
Control strategies prioritize early case detection and contact screening for household, neighbourhood, and social contacts [1][4]. The World Health Organization recommends single-dose rifampicin as post-exposure prophylaxis for eligible contacts to interrupt transmission [1][4]. These measures aim to prevent disease progression, nerve damage, and disabilities while pursuing zero leprosy goals [4][3].
- 1World Health Organization. Leprosy [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leprosy
- 2World Health Organization. Leprosy (Hansen disease) [Internet]. cited 3 Sept 2026.Available from: https://www.who.int/health-topics/leprosy
- 3Chen KH et al. Leprosy: A Review of Epidemiology, Clinical Diagnosis, and Management. J Trop Med. 2022. PMID: 35832335. doi: 10.1155/2022/8652062.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35832335/
- 4Grijsen ML et al. Leprosy. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2024 Nov 28. PMID: 39609422. doi: 10.1038/s41572-024-00575-1.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39609422/
- 5Froes LAR Junior et al. Leprosy: clinical and immunopathological characteristics. An Bras Dermatol. 2022 May-Jun. PMID: 35379512. doi: 10.1016/j.abd.2021.08.006.PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35379512/
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Coverage
Reporting countries and regions
Trends by reporting country
Monthly patterns over time
Research Radar
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Showing 5 of 8 related publications.
Literature links are provided for discovery and do not alter or validate the surveillance series above.
Data access
Page dataset index with source links and update metadata.
Official sourcesAuthority, cadence, notes67
Australia NINDSS
Australia
Australian national notifiable diseases surveillance dashboard.
Australia NINDSS — Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Australian Capital Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — New South Wales
New South Wales, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for New South Wales, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Northern Territory
Northern Territory, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Northern Territory, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Queensland
Queensland, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Queensland, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — South Australia
South Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for South Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Tasmania
Tasmania, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Tasmania, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Victoria
Victoria, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Victoria, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Australia NINDSS — Western Australia
Western Australia, Australia
Australian NINDSS monthly state/territory notifications for Western Australia, kept separate from the Australia national aggregate.
Brazil DATASUS SINAN
Brazil
Brazil Ministry of Health DATASUS/SINAN public DBC microdata aggregated to national monthly notification counts.
Canada PHAC CNDSS Annual
Canada
Canada is the national jurisdiction; subdivision feeds are registered separately.
China CDC Weekly
China
Monthly notifiable infectious disease reports published by China CDC.
National Disease Control and Prevention Administration
China
Official China public health bulletin and query portal.
PubMed
China
Biomedical literature discovery feed used as supplementary context.
Public Health Science Data Center
Anhui, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Anhui, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Chongqing, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Chongqing, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Fujian, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Fujian, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guangdong, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guangdong, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Gansu, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Gansu, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guangxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guangxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Guizhou, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Guizhou, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Henan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Henan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hebei, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hebei, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hainan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hainan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Hunan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Hunan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jilin, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jilin, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jiangsu, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jiangsu, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Jiangxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Jiangxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Sichuan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Sichuan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shandong, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shandong, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shanghai, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shanghai, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Shaanxi, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Shaanxi, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Xinjiang, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Xinjiang, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Yunnan, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Yunnan, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Public Health Science Data Center
Zhejiang, China
Chinese province-level historical monthly observations; this higher-priority source overlays overlapping official monthly reports.
Provincial statutory infectious disease monthly report
Zhejiang, China
Province-level statutory infectious disease report published by the responsible health authority.
Hong Kong, China CHP Notifiable Diseases
Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong, China CHP annual notifiable infectious disease CSVs normalized to national monthly totals
Iceland Directorate of Health Annual Dashboard
Iceland
National annual case notifications by disease. Published values can be revised retrospectively and remain annual period totals.
Iceland Directorate of Health STI Dashboard
Iceland
Monthly STI diagnosis facts from laboratory and registry surveillance; the official dashboard is published on a quarterly schedule.
Iceland Directorate of Health Respiratory Dashboard
Iceland
ISO-week respiratory diagnosis counts. Hospitalizations, samples, and vaccination indicators are separate measures and are not counted as diagnoses.
Iceland Directorate of Health Historical Registry
Iceland
Historical official registry tables for 1997–2021, with annual totals and disease-specific monthly notification facts retained at source grain.
Iceland Directorate of Health Legacy ICD Monthly
Iceland
Historical Saga EHR ICD encounter counts for 1997–2020. This clinical measure is non-comparable with registry notifications and is kept separate.
Korea KDCA EID
South Korea
Korea KDCA notifiable infectious disease OpenAPI or portal/KOSIS downloads aggregated to national monthly notification counts.
Norway FHI MSIS Statistics Bank
Norway
Norway FHI MSIS national monthly notifications from the official Allvis frontend API; adapter contract checks guard the unversioned endpoint.
Taiwan, China CDC NIDSS
Taiwan, China
Taiwan, China monthly notifiable infectious disease open-data CSV feed.
US CDC NNDSS
United States
CDC National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System provisional data.
US CDC NHSS HIV
United States
CDC NNDSS weekly data plus NHSS annual national HIV diagnoses