Chile Becomes First in Americas to Eliminate Leprosy, According to WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO), along with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has announced that Chile is the first country in the Americas and the second worldwide to be officially recognized for eliminating leprosy, also known as Hansen disease. This significant milestone underscores more than three decades of dedicated public health efforts in the nation.

Historically, leprosy was recorded in Chile at the late 19th century, particularly on Rapa Nui, or Easter Island. Though the disease was limited mainly to this island, sporadic cases emerged in mainland Chile. However, robust isolation and treatment measures effectively contained the illness, with the last secondary cases on Rapa Nui managed by the late 1990s.

Remarkably, Chile has not reported locally acquired leprosy cases for over 30 years, with the last detected case occurring in 1993. Despite this success, the country has maintained leprosy on its public health agenda. It remains a notifiable condition within the health system, continually monitored through mandatory reporting and integrated surveillance.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of WHO, commented on this landmark achievement, stating, "This landmark public health achievement is a powerful testament to what leadership, science, and solidarity can accomplish. Chile’s elimination of leprosy sends a clear message to the world: with sustained commitment, inclusive health services, integrated public health strategies, early detection and universal access to care, we can consign ancient diseases to history."

The verification process recognizes the effectiveness of over 30 years of unbroken public health actions, meticulous surveillance, political dedication, and a vigilant health system, even in the absence of local transmission.

PAHO's Director, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, highlighted that Chile’s success serves as an example for the region, demonstrating that with strong health systems in place, diseases linked to marginalized populations can be eradicated. He emphasized the importance of comprehensive care and the need to address the ties between illness and poverty.

At the request of Chile's Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO organized an independent expert panel in 2025 to evaluate the country’s achievements regarding leprosy elimination. This panel thoroughly reviewed the epidemiological data, surveillance mechanisms, protocols for case management, and plans for sustainability. Their findings confirmed the absence of local leprosy transmission in Chile and validated the country’s capacity to manage and detect future cases among non-acquired populations.

"This is very good news and a source of great pride for our country. Chile has received verification of the elimination of leprosy disease, becoming the first country in the Americas and the second globally to achieve this recognition," stated Ximena Aguilera, Chile’s Minister of Health. She went on to explain how this milestone is the result of decades of sustained public health efforts, including prevention strategies, early diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing follow-up by dedicated health professionals. Aguilera noted that this milestone reinforces a commitment to maintaining active surveillance and ensuring the provision of stigma-free healthcare for all.

Chile has registered only 47 cases of leprosy between 2012 and 2023, with none being locally acquired. The country employs an integrated healthcare model facilitating early detection and comprehensive treatment: primary care centers act as the first point of contact for suspected cases, providing timely referrals to specialized dermatology services for appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing follow-up.

Training for clinicians aligns with the WHO's Towards Zero Leprosy strategy, focusing on early detection, disability prevention, and holistic care. This model ensures that individuals affected by leprosy receive continuous support for acute and long-term health needs, promoting complete recovery and social reintegration.

Chile's achievement is a significant milestone for the Americas, setting a strong precedent for other nations. It demonstrates the effectiveness of political commitment and cross-sector collaboration in low-incidence settings.

Since 1995, PAHO, in partnership with WHO, has facilitated uninterrupted access to multidrug therapy (MDT) for countries in the Americas, which includes Chile. The continuous provision of MDT has been supported by The Nippon Foundation from 1995 to 2000 and by Novartis since 2000, which both provided MDT at no cost via agreements with WHO. This dependable access has been crucial for treating patients, preventing disabilities, and halting transmission of the disease.

In addition, PAHO has aided Chile in aligning its surveillance practices with international standards, enhancing laboratory capabilities, and ensuring that health professionals retain clinical expertise within a low-incidence context, where many practitioners may not encounter a case in their careers.

The elimination of leprosy in Chile is also framed within a broader legal and social context that emphasizes human rights, inclusion, and anti-discrimination. National laws guarantee equal access to healthcare and social protections, ensuring that individuals affected by leprosy receive necessary care without stigma.

The country’s mixed public-private health system, strengthened by rigorous regulatory measures, enhances equitable access to healthcare, particularly for vulnerable populations, including migrants.

Moving forward, as Chile enters the post-elimination phase, it is encouraged to continue its reporting to the WHO, ensuring sensitive surveillance and preserving clinical expertise for any sporadic cases or those acquired outside its borders. The verification panel also suggested establishing a formal referral center and utilizing WHO Academy’s online training for healthcare providers, thus bolstering long-term capacity and preparedness.

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

Classified as a neglected tropical disease, leprosy persists in over 120 countries, with over 200,000 new cases annually worldwide.

The PAHO's Disease Elimination Initiative aims to eliminate leprosy as well as other communicable diseases and their related conditions in the Americas by the year 2030, achieved through extensive surveillance, access to treatments, and engagement with communities.

Neglected tropical diseases encompass a broad spectrum of 21 conditions, which lead to severe health, social, and economic repercussions. These diseases affect about one billion individuals globally, predominantly within impoverished communities residing in tropical areas.

Public health ambitions to control, eliminate, and eradicate these diseases are highlighted in the roadmap for neglected tropical diseases from 2021 to 2030. In 2025 alone, WHO validated or certified nine countries for meeting these targets. Following Chile's achievement, it joins the ranks as the sixty-first country globally and the sixth in the Americas to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease. Other countries include Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Notably, Chile is the second country worldwide to attain leprosy elimination after the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.