LEPROSY 1962-1992 .4. EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTROL OF LEPROSY - A REVIEW OF PROGRESS OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS

A review of progress in the epidemiology and control of leprosy indica tes that, even though there has been only limited advancement in the e pidemiological understanding of the disease, control of leprosy throug h chemotherapy of patients has been highly successful. Diagnostic tool s using serology and other means have substantially improved, particul arly in meeting research needs. There has been a reduction of more tha n 50% over the past decade in the leprosy case load in the world, due mainly to the vigorous implementation of multidrug therapy (MDT) in th e treatment of the disease. MDT has been remarkably effective in curin g patients, preventing relapse and minimizing side-effects. The progre ss in disease control in recent years prompted the World Health Assemb ly in 1991 to endorse a goal of global elimination of leprosy as a pub lic health problem by the year 2000, defining elimination of leprosy a s attaining a level of prevalence below one case per 10 000 population . The future prospects for leprosy control in general and improved MDT appear to be good.