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Task Force on definitions, criteria and indicators for interruption of transmission and elimination of leprosy
Abstract
Addressing the leprosy burden is passing through different stages in different countries. Most countries have eliminated leprosy as a public health problem; several have already achieved interruption of transmission, while others are progressing to this. Some other countries have already eliminated the disease, i.e. they were formerly endemic.
Encouraged by having achieved the milestone of elimination as a public health problem, countries would like to move to next phases: interruption of transmission and absence of disease. Annual leprosy statistics submitted by countries indicate that several countries have consistently reported zero new cases of leprosy in recent years.
The number of countries with zero new autochthonous leprosy cases (target: 120 by 2030) is one of the indicators of the Road map for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Global Leprosy Strategy 2021‒2030. This achievement will need to be ascertained, which may include the submission of a dossier and/or independent review. Following an informal consultation on the same subject, held in Mexico in February 2020, a Task Force on definitions, criteria and indicators for interruption of transmission and elimination of leprosy (TFCEL) was set up to draft definitions for concepts concerning interruption of transmission and elimination of leprosy as a disease with criteria and milestones for assessment. The Task force met virtually on a monthly basis. The final meeting of TFCEL was held as a blended meeting, i.e. a day-time face-to-face with TFCEL members and additional experts based in India; and virtual sessions in the evening with TFCEL members based elsewhere. This meeting was held at the Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute (CLTRI), Chengalpattu, India from 24 to 26 March 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to reach an agreement on criteria to define interruption of transmission and elimination of disease, to recommend a template for country dossier and propose a verification exercise.
Encouraged by having achieved the milestone of elimination as a public health problem, countries would like to move to next phases: interruption of transmission and absence of disease. Annual leprosy statistics submitted by countries indicate that several countries have consistently reported zero new cases of leprosy in recent years.
The number of countries with zero new autochthonous leprosy cases (target: 120 by 2030) is one of the indicators of the Road map for Neglected Tropical Diseases and Global Leprosy Strategy 2021‒2030. This achievement will need to be ascertained, which may include the submission of a dossier and/or independent review. Following an informal consultation on the same subject, held in Mexico in February 2020, a Task Force on definitions, criteria and indicators for interruption of transmission and elimination of leprosy (TFCEL) was set up to draft definitions for concepts concerning interruption of transmission and elimination of leprosy as a disease with criteria and milestones for assessment. The Task force met virtually on a monthly basis. The final meeting of TFCEL was held as a blended meeting, i.e. a day-time face-to-face with TFCEL members and additional experts based in India; and virtual sessions in the evening with TFCEL members based elsewhere. This meeting was held at the Central Leprosy Teaching and Research Institute (CLTRI), Chengalpattu, India from 24 to 26 March 2021. The purpose of the meeting was to reach an agreement on criteria to define interruption of transmission and elimination of disease, to recommend a template for country dossier and propose a verification exercise.
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Type
Report