Key Issues from the Global Leprosy Update 2024

The WHO’s latest Global Leprosy Update was published in September 2025. The report gathered leprosy data from 188 countries around the world.¹ Epidemiologist and acting team leader of the WHO’s Global Leprosy Programme, Dr. Venkata Ranganadha Rao Pemmaraju, provided his views on several critical issues that require action according to the report.²

The issue: 133 countries reported one or more new cases of leprosy.
The solution: Sustained and intensified case detection campaigns are needed to break the cycle of transmission.

The issue: New case detection continued at relatively the same level, with 172,717 cases reported in 2024.
The solution: Improved case-finding campaigns and preventive initiatives are needed to accelerate the decline of leprosy and prevent stagnant case detection.

The issue: The 23 global priority countries accounted for 96% of new leprosy cases.
The solution: National and international resources must be strategically concentrated in these high-burden settings.

The issue: Nearly 300 children are diagnosed with visible impairments annually, showing that detection of leprosy in children is often delayed.
The solution: Early detection systems must be strengthened.

The issue: Over 20,000 cases of lepra reactions were reported in 2024.
The solution: Better treatment protocols to must be prioritised to improve quality of care and manage severe reactions.

The issue: At least 81 discriminatory laws reported to the WHO remain in force globally.
The solution: Repealing all laws that allow discrimination against people affected by leprosy should be brought back as a target in national strategic plans.

The issue: Instances of discrimination are being underreported.
The solution: Systematic tools and mechanisms must be developed to diagnose and monitor discrimination in both health systems and communities.

Read Dr. Pemmaraju’s full summary here.

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