Chile has become the first nation in the Americas to receive official verification for eliminating leprosy. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization confirmed the milestone this week. Panama is now advancing toward the same goal, reporting only five new cases in 2025.
International elimination criteria require a country to report zero new indigenous cases for at least three consecutive years after interrupting transmission for five years. Chile has not recorded a locally transmitted case since 1993. The country maintained leprosy as a notifiable disease and ensured universal access to treatment, diagnosing 47 imported cases between 2012 and 2023.
“Chile did not remove leprosy from its health agenda despite the absence of local transmission,” stated a regional health agency report. [Translated from Spanish]
This verification underscores that elimination does not mean the disease has vanished. It signifies a sustained capacity for surveillance and response. Health systems must remain prepared to detect and manage imported cases to prevent renewed transmission.
Panama’s Path to Elimination
Panama currently reports a low incidence of the disease, also known as Hansen’s disease, with no sustained outbreaks in recent years. The Ministry of Health (Minsa) confirmed the five cases last year occurred in Chiriquí province and the San Miguelito district. While the number is low, Panama has not yet formally met all international benchmarks to request elimination verification.
National health authorities are implementing reinforced strategies. These focus on early detection and preventive treatment for close contacts of diagnosed patients. The head of the Minsa Tuberculosis and Leprosy Control Program, Edwin Aizpurúa, explained the current approach.
“We implement prophylaxis strategies for close contacts using Rifampicin, with the goal of reducing the risk of developing the disease,” Aizpurúa said. [Translated from Spanish]
A key regional target aims for 90 percent of diagnoses to occur before visible disabilities appear. This metric reflects successful early detection efforts. To strengthen this capacity, Panama inaugurated a dedicated Leprosy Clinic in January 2026 at the Gorgas Memorial Institute for Health Studies.
Sustaining Surveillance in a Low-Incidence Era
From 2011 to 2022, Panama detected a total of 34 leprosy cases. The country reported seven new cases in 2023 and three in 2024. The consistent low numbers present a unique challenge. Experts warn the real test is maintaining a sensitive surveillance system and clinical expertise when cases become rare.
Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. The disease is fully curable with free multidrug therapy, but delayed treatment can lead to permanent nerve damage and disability.
Globally, over 200,000 new cases are reported annually across more than 120 countries. Stigma remains a significant barrier to timely diagnosis and care, often affecting vulnerable populations the most. For Panama, the next step involves consolidating its low incidence over time and fully meeting the technical criteria for future international verification. The country’s progress, following Chile’s landmark achievement, highlights a sustained regional push to eliminate a centuries-old disease.