Uttarakhand declares Leprosy a notifiable disease to strengthen Surveillance
Dehradun: Uttarakhand has declared leprosy a notifiable disease, requiring all cases detected in private or government hospitals to be reported to the District Leprosy Officer. This move aims to strengthen surveillance, ensure early treatment, and prevent further transmission.
According to Data from the National Leprosy Elimination Program (NLEP), the prevalence rate of leprosy in the state is 0.23 per 10,000 population. Leprosy affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that, in addition to physical deformities, those affected also face stigma and discrimination.
As per the WHO classification, multibacillary (MB) leprosy involves more than five skin lesions, or nerve involvement, or the presence of bacilli in a skin incision, regardless of the number of lesions.
According to a TOI media report, a total of 241 new cases, including five children, were reported in the state in 2025-26. About five cases (2.1%) were classified as multibacillary (MB), a more severe form of the disease. As per the department data, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar had significantly higher caseloads.
Meanwhile, seven of the 13 districts, including Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Tehri Garhwal, are currently considered leprosy-free. This means that no cases of leprosy have been reported among tribal children for five consecutive years.
Speaking to TOI, Dr Jitendra Negi, joint director and state nodal officer (leprosy), Uttarakhand health department, said, "When disease burden declines, under-detection and silent transmission become the greater risk. Making leprosy notifiable will close surveillance gaps, especially in the private sector, and ensure early diagnosis, contact screening and disability prevention. This is a public health measure to safeguard the state's elimination gains."
Additionally, the health officials said the state is in the maintenance and consolidation phase, not the program's exit phase. Low prevalence increases the risk of underreporting and negligence, especially in the private sector. They said the pediatric cases are an indicator of recent transmission.
