Why in news?
The Delhi government announced in May 2026 that it would add leprosy to the list of diseases that doctors and hospitals must report under the Delhi Epidemic Diseases Act. Health officials say mandatory notification will improve surveillance, reveal hidden cases and help achieve the national goal of eliminating transmission by 2030.
About leprosy (Hansen’s disease)
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the slow‑growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves but can also involve the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and eyes. If left untreated it may lead to numbness, muscle weakness and irreversible deformities. However, leprosy is curable and early treatment prevents disability.
The disease spreads through droplets from the nose and mouth of an untreated patient during prolonged close contact. It does not spread through casual contact such as shaking hands or sharing meals. Once a patient begins multi‑drug therapy (MDT) they quickly become non‑infectious. MDT consists of three medicines — dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine — taken for six months in paucibacillary cases (fewer lesions) and twelve months in multibacillary cases (more lesions or nerve involvement). The World Health Organization provides MDT free of cost.
Why mandatory notification matters
- Detecting hidden cases: Many people seek care from private doctors who may not report cases to the National Leprosy Eradication Programme. Notification will bring these patients under public‑health supervision.
- Early diagnosis: Reporting enables rapid treatment and prevents nerve damage and disability.
- Contact tracing: Health workers can screen household and community contacts and offer post‑exposure prophylaxis (single‑dose rifampicin) to reduce transmission.
- Reducing stigma: Classifying leprosy alongside other reportable infections normalises the disease and encourages patients to seek timely medical care.
Global context
Although leprosy was declared eliminated as a public health problem in India in 2005 (prevalence below one case per 10,000 population), the country still accounts for the majority of new cases worldwide. WHO data show that more than 200,000 people globally are diagnosed each year, primarily in South‑East Asia. Mandatory notification in Delhi aligns with recommendations from WHO’s independent evaluation of India’s leprosy programme.
