Chile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy

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 The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.

Leprosy (Hansen disease) was historically recorded in Chile at the end of the 19th century on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The disease was limited in mainland Chile, with sporadic introductions, contained through isolation and treatment measures in the Island, where the last secondary cases were managed by the late 1990s.

Since then, Chile has not reported any locally acquired case of leprosy for more than 30 years, with the last locally acquired case detected in 1993. However, the disease was never removed from the country’s public health agenda; it has remained a notifiable condition, monitored through mandatory reporting, integrated surveillance, and continuous clinical readiness across the health system.

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), congratulates Chile for becoming the first country in the Americas – and the second globally – to be officially verified as having eliminated leprosy disease.

Leprosy (Hansen disease) was historically recorded in Chile at the end of the 19th century on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The disease was limited in mainland Chile, with sporadic introductions, contained through isolation and treatment measures in the Island, where the last secondary cases were managed by the late 1990s.

Since then, Chile has not reported any locally acquired case of leprosy for more than 30 years, with the last locally acquired case detected in 1993. However, the disease was never removed from the country’s public health agenda; it has remained a notifiable condition, monitored through mandatory reporting, integrated surveillance, and continuous clinical readiness across the health system.

Sustained training, surveillance and holistic care in a low-incidence setting

Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases nationwide, none of which were locally acquired.

Leprosy

Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract mucosa, and eyes. If untreated, it can lead to permanent nerve damage, disabilities, and social stigma. However, leprosy is fully curable with multidrug therapy, and early detection prevents complications.

As a neglected tropical disease, leprosy persists in over 120 countries, with more than 200 000 new cases annually worldwide.

PAHO's Disease Elimination Initiative aims to eliminate leprosy, other communicable diseases and related conditions in the Americas by 2030, through strengthened surveillance, access to treatment, and community engagement.

Neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of 21 conditions associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences. They affect one billion people globally and their burden is mainly prevalent among impoverished communities in tropical areas.

Public health targets for the control, elimination and eradication of these conditions have been set in the road map for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. In 2025 alone, 9 countries were validated, verified or certified by WHO for achieving these targets. Following the successful verification of elimination of leprosy disease, Chile becomes the sixty-first country globally and the sixth in the Americas to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease, together with Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Chile is the second country in the world after the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to have achieved elimination of leprosy.

WHO News

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