[Present leprosy situation in the world in 2011].

The epidemiological situation of leprosy is reported by the health division of each country to WHO. The reported data is collected by WHO and is immediately run on the Weekly Epidemiological Record. On this latest edition, data from the beginning of 2010 was reported. The Enhanced global strategy for further reducing the disease burden due to leprosy (plan period: 2011-2015) emphasizes reducing grade-2 disabilities among new cases. The burden of leprosy continues to decline globally as a result of sustained efforts carried out by national leprosy programmes along with continued support from both national and international partners. Improving the management of complications through the development of an effective referral service and increased community awareness about the disease will ensure that cases present for diagnosis at an early stage and will help reduce the disease burden further.

[Leprosy services following elimination in WPRO and SEARO regions].

The elimination of leprosy with the advent of multidrug therapy (MDT) is one of the success stories in public health. Elimination will be achieved in the regions of Western pacific and South-East Asia in near future. A biregional consultation between the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions was held in the end of 2004 in Manila, the Philippines. A strategy document was developed during the consultation, to sustain quality leprosy services in Asia and the Pacific beyond 2005, and to further reduce the leprosy burden. The main strategy involves timely detection of new cases, multidrug treatment, and the key element of integration of leprosy services into general health services.