Mystery of the past, challenge of the present – ​​PAHO/WHO

In ancient times, this disease shrouded poor and marginalized communities in a mysterious fear. leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, affects more than one billion people worldwide, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. It is a disease caused by bacteria that multiply very slowly in the body and is transmitted mainly through close and prolonged contact with untreated infected people, mainly through contact with fluids from the nose and mouth.

Signs and symptoms:

Symptoms of this disease can appear within a year, but sometimes take up to 20 years or more to appear.

• The disease mainly affects the skin, nerves on the outside of the body, the inside of the nose and throat, and the eyes.
• Some signs include areas of the skin that may be lighter or redder and lose the ability to feel.
• Damage to the nerves of the arms, legs, or face, causing these parts to lose sensation and movement.

Situation in Guatemala:

In Guatemala, the Council for the Control of Leprosy and Skin Diseases (PACOLEP) has been leading the leprosy prevention and control program since 1973. According to PACOLEP, a total of 303 cases of leprosy have been reported from 1955 to 2022. Most of them were in the southeastern region of Guatemala, covering places such as Izabal, Zacapa, Chiquimula, Jutiapa, Santa Rosa, Escuintla, Retalhuleu and El Progreso. There are also a few cases in the central plateau, Guatemala and Sacatepequez, as well as in the lower southwest, such as Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango and San Marcos.

In terms of active cases between 2000 and 2022, the total number is decreasing. The year with the most active cases was 2018 with six cases, followed by 2021 with four cases. Other years, such as 2000, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2020 and 2022, saw one case reported each year, adding a total of 17 cases over the past twenty years.

The eradication targets set by PAHO/WHO are ambitious but achievable. The Global Strategy to Eliminate Leprosy, published in 2016, is based on strengthening government engagement, stopping the spread of leprosy and its complications, improving surveillance and ending discrimination. The goal is to engage local organizations and work alongside tuberculosis, disability and mental health programs.

Technical cooperation and measurable results:

PAHO strives to provide technical support in areas ranging from operational research to drug donation management. It also seeks to certify Guatemala as a leprosy-free country. Measurable results, such as an investigation report and a response plan, are important steps toward achieving this ambitious goal.

On World Leprosy Day, we reflect on the progress and challenges in the fight against the disease. Thanks to the collaboration of local organizations, health programs and the international community, we are closer to eliminating leprosy in Guatemala.