Chile Becomes First Country in the Americas to Eliminate Leprosy: WHO
In March 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), officially verified that Chile has eliminated leprosy as a public health problem.
About Elimination of Leprosy:
Milestone: With this milestone, Chile becomes the first country in the Americas and the second country globally after Jordan to achieve this recognition.
In March 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), officially verified that Chile has eliminated leprosy as a public health problem.
About Elimination of Leprosy:
Milestone: With this milestone, Chile becomes the first country in the Americas and the second country globally after Jordan to achieve this recognition.
- Chile is now the 61st country globally and the 6th in the Americas to eliminate at least one Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). This supports PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative targeting over 30 communicable diseases by 2030.
WHO Criteria: The WHO defines leprosy elimination as a prevalence rate below 1 case per 10,000 population. Under the WHO Global Leprosy Strategy 2021–2030, transmission elimination is indicated by zero locally acquired cases for three consecutive years and no cases among children for five years.
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