WHO verification marks a landmark moment in the global fight against one of humanity’s oldest and most stigmatised diseases
In a landmark public health achievement, Chile has become the first country in the Americas and only the second in the world to be officially verified by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the elimination of leprosy. The announcement, made on March 4, 2026, marks the culmination of more than three decades of sustained commitment, vigilant surveillance, and inclusive healthcare delivery.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, was historically recorded in Chile in the late 19th century, primarily on Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The last locally acquired case on the mainland was detected in 1993 over 30 years ago. Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported just 47 cases nationwide, none of which were locally transmitted.
At the request of Chile’s Ministry of Health, PAHO and WHO convened an independent expert panel in 2025 to rigorously assess whether elimination had been achieved and could be sustained. The panel reviewed epidemiological data, surveillance systems, case management protocols, and long-term sustainability plans confirming the absence of local transmission and validating Chile’s capacity to detect and respond to any future cases.
“This landmark public health achievement is a powerful testament to what leadership, science, and solidarity can accomplish,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “With sustained commitment and universal access to care, we can consign ancient diseases to history.”
Chile’s success rests on a robust integrated model: primary care centres serve as entry points for suspected cases, with timely referrals to specialised dermatology services. Clinicians receive continuous training, and the system prioritises early intervention, disability prevention, and stigma-free, holistic care including physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Critically, Chile’s achievement was underpinned by strong human rights legislation guaranteeing equal access to healthcare for all including migrants and vulnerable populations.
Chile now joins an elite group as the 61st country globally to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease paving the way and sending a powerful message to the rest of the Americas: elimination is possible. The tools exist. The will must follow.
Source :WHO
