Chile First in Americas to Achieve WHO Leprosy Elimination Status

The World Health Organization (WHO), along 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.

Leprosy (Hansen's disease) was historically documented in Chile at the end of the 19th century on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The disease was relatively contained on the mainland of Chile, with only sporadic cases being introduced. Effective isolation and treatment measures were implemented on the island, where the last secondary cases were treated by the late 1990s.

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

'This landmark public health achievement is a powerful testament to what leadership, science, and solidarity can accomplish,' said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. '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 acknowledges over thirty years of continuous public health efforts, strong surveillance, enduring political commitment, and a health system that has stayed alert even without local transmission.

'Chile’s achievement demonstrates that eliminating leprosy is achievable and requires building strong systems that can detect, respond to, and provide comprehensive care for people affected by the disease, including those living with chronic disabilities,' said PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa. 'Being the first country in the Americas to be confirmed as having eliminated leprosy sends a powerful message to the Region – that diseases strongly linked to groups living in vulnerable conditions can be eliminated, contributing to interrupt the vicious circle between disease and poverty.'

At the request of Chile’s Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO convened an independent expert panel in 2025 to assess whether elimination had been achieved and could be sustained over time. The panel conducted a thorough assessment, reviewing epidemiological data, surveillance mechanisms, case management protocols, and sustainability plans. Its findings confirmed the absence of local transmission and validated Chile’s capacity to detect and respond to future cases occurring among the non-autochthonous population.

'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,' said Ximena Aguilera, Chile’s Minister of Health. 'This milestone reflects decades of sustained public health efforts, including prevention strategies, early diagnosis, effective treatment, continuous follow-up, and the commitment of health teams across the country. It also reaffirms our responsibility to maintain active surveillance and ensure respectful, stigma-free care for all.'

Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases nationwide, all of which were acquired from outside the country.

Chile’s integrated model ensures early detection and comprehensive care: primary care centers serve as the entry point for suspected cases, with timely referrals to specialized dermatology services for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Clinicians receive training aligned with WHO's Towards Zero Leprosy strategy. The system prioritizes early intervention, disability prevention, and holistic care, including physiotherapy and rehabilitation services, ensuring that anyone affected by leprosy receives continuous support for both acute and long-term health needs to promote full recovery and social inclusion.

Chile's accomplishment paves the way for other nations, illustrating the impact of political will, cross-sector collaboration, and adaptive planning in low-incidence settings.

Since 1995, PAHO, in coordination with WHO, has ensured uninterrupted access to multidrug therapy (MDT) for countries in the Americas, including Chile. This continuous supply has been made possible with the support of The Nippon Foundation (1995–2000) and Novartis (since 2000), which have provided MDT free of charge through direct agreements with WHO. This reliable access, combined with national supply systems, has been essential for curing patients, preventing disability, and interrupting transmission.

PAHO has also supported Chile in aligning surveillance with international standards, strengthening laboratory capacity, and maintaining clinical expertise in a low-incidence context, where many health professionals may never encounter a case during their careers.

Chile’s elimination of leprosy has been accomplished through a comprehensive legal and social framework that safeguards human rights, fosters inclusion, and prevents discrimination. National laws ensure equal access to healthcare, social protection, and disability services, making certain that individuals affected by leprosy receive care without stigma or exclusion.

Chile’s mixed public-private health system, characterized by robust regulatory oversight, further enhances equitable access, including for migrants and other vulnerable groups.

Aligned with WHO’s Towards Zero Leprosy strategy and PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, Chile’s experience demonstrates that elimination is not defined solely by the absence of disease, but by a sustained health system capable of detecting, responding to, and providing holistic care whenever a case appears.

Moving into the post-elimination phase, Chile is encouraged to continue reporting to the WHO, maintain sensitive surveillance, and ensure that clinical expertise is retained for future sporadic cases as well as any cases acquired outside the country. The verification panel also recommended formally designating a referral center and utilizing the WHO Academy’s online training for health workers and staff, thereby strengthening long-term capacity and preparedness.

Leprosy

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

As a neglected tropical disease, leprosy continues to be present in over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported worldwide each year.

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

Neglected tropical diseases

Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of 21 conditions that lead to severe health, social, and economic consequences. Affecting one billion people worldwide, they predominantly impact impoverished communities in tropical regions.

Public health targets for the control, elimination, and eradication of neglected tropical diseases have been established in the roadmap for neglected tropical diseases 2021–2030. In 2025 alone, nine countries were validated, verified, or certified by the WHO for achieving these targets. Following the successful verification of leprosy elimination, Chile has become the sixty-first country worldwide and the sixth in the Americas to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease, joining Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. Chile is the second country in the world, after the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, to have achieved the elimination of leprosy.

On March 6, 2026, a correction was made to the 12th paragraph of this news release as noted below.

The paragraph in the original news release read:

Since 1995, PAHO, in coordination with WHO, has provided multidrug therapy (MDT) free of charge to countries in the Americas, including Chile. This uninterrupted access to treatment, combined with national supply systems, has been essential in curing patients, preventing disability, and interrupting transmission.

This was changed to:

Since 1995, PAHO, in coordination with WHO, has ensured uninterrupted access to multidrug therapy (MDT) for countries in the Americas, including Chile. This continuous supply has been made possible with the support of The Nippon Foundation (1995–2000) and Novartis (since 2000), which have provided MDT free of charge through direct agreements with WHO. This reliable access, combined with national supply systems, has been essential for curing patients, preventing disability, and interrupting transmission.