On World Leprosy Day, Mexico's Ministry of Health, through the National Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CENAPRECE), maintains a comprehensive strategy to prevent an increase in leprosy cases. Since 1994, the disease is no longer considered a public health problem in the country. The national strategy is based on permanent epidemiological surveillance, timely detection, effective treatment, medical training, and community education, with special attention in areas with a history of transmission.
A central axis of the program is the implementation of Dermatological Journeys in endemic municipalities and localities, where specialized staff identifies probable cases, performs clinical evaluations, and takes diagnostic samples directly in the field. These activities focus on areas that have reported cases in the last five years or have a family history, mainly in Sinaloa, Oaxaca, and Guerrero. These journeys allow for the timely interruption of possible transmission chains and guarantee the immediate start of treatment for confirmed cases.
As part of the epidemiological monitoring, active screening in children under 15 is a key indicator of health control. The presence of cases in this age group could indicate active and sustained transmission in the community. Thanks to international donations of polychemotherapy, treatment is provided free of charge in all health units in the country.
Health authorities recommend going to the nearest health unit immediately if any painless spots or clinical suspicion appear, as a key measure to protect individual and collective health. CENAPRECE is also promoting the development of a real-time information platform to facilitate early detection and the immediate implementation of health intervention strategies.
Complementarily, continuous education actions are carried out for health personnel, as well as community workshops aimed at recognizing the early signs and symptoms of leprosy, particularly in families with a history of the disease. Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, which mainly affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Its long incubation period, which can vary from five to 20 years, makes early diagnosis essential, as without timely treatment, it can cause disability in the eyes, hands, feet, muscles, and bones, as well as permanent deformities.
The director of the Mycobacteriosis Program emphasized that leprosy is curable and that timely diagnosis and adequate treatment not only reduce the risk of disability but are fundamental to avoiding new infections. Since 1994, Mexico has met the World Health Organization (WHO) criterion of registering less than one case per 10,000 inhabitants.
