Leprosy on Reunion Island, 2005-2013: Situation and Perspectives

Abstract

BackgroundReunion Island is a French overseas territory located in the south-western of Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Madagascar. Leprosy first arrived on Reunion Island in the early 1700s with the African slaves and immigration from Madagascar. The disease was endemic until 1980 but improvement of health care and life conditions of inhabitants in the island have allowed a strong decrease in new cases of leprosy. However, the reintroduction of the disease by migrants from endemic neighbouring countries like Comoros and Madagascar is a real and continuing risk. This observational study was then conducted to measure the number of new cases detected annually on Reunion Island between 2005 and 2013, and to describe the clinical features of these patients.Methodology/Principal FindingsData were collected over two distinct periods. Incident cases between 2005 and 2010 come from a retrospective study conducted in 2010 by the regional Office of French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (CIRE of Indian Ocean), when no surveillance system exist. Cases between 2011 and 2013 come from a prospective collection of all new cases, following the implementation of systematic notification of all new cases. All patient data were anonymized. Among the 25 new cases, 12 are Reunion Island residents who never lived outside Reunion Island, and hence are considered to be confirmed autochthonous patients. Registered prevalence in 2014 was 0.05 /10 000 habitants, less than the WHO’s eradication goal (1/10 000).Conclusions/SignificanceLeprosy is no longer a major public health problem on Reunion Island, as its low prevalence rate indicates. However, the risk of recrudescence of the disease and of renewed autochthonous transmission remains real. In this context, active case detection must be pursued through the active declaration and rapid treatment of all new cases.

Temporal-spatial distribution characteristics of leprosy: A new challenge for leprosy prevention and control in Zhejiang, China

“…The disease affects nerve endings and destroys the body’s ability to feel pain and injury. If not treated in the early stages of infection, leprosy, a curable disease, can result in permanent damage to peripheral nerves and may lead to disabilities, and leprosy is considered as a severe public health issue [ 2 ].…”

Comprehensive measures succeeded in improving early detection of leprosy cases in post-elimination era: Experience from Shandong province, China

“…Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, caused by mycobacterium leprae, is a chronic infectious disease with a long incubation [1] and preferably affects skin and peripheral nerve systems [2]. If not treated timely, leprosy can result in permanent damage to peripheral nerves and may lead to amputations and disabilities [3]. Leprosy is considered as a severe public health issue mainly because of its potential disabling characteristics [4]and relevant social, economic consequences.…”

Implementation of suitable optimal control strategy through introspection of different delay induced mathematical models for leprosy: A comparative study

“…Amount of time lag or delay is small in quantity up to which both the endemic equilibriums $$$ {E}_1^{\ast } $$$ and $$$ {E}_2^{\ast } $$$ exhibit a stable situation. Therefore, early diagnosis is very much important for leprosy patients to rule out the possibility of irreversible nerve damages 39 so that we can prevent the rapid production of free M. leprae bacteria at an early stage after its first entry into the human body. These analytical findings for our systems are well supported and confirmed by several experimental studies 5,40‐42 where the authors have clearly explained the essence of early detection and hence, starting the optimal control treatment for eliminating leprosy.…”