Further information on the leprosy problem in the world

Abstract Information was obtained for the period 1966-70 concerning the number of registered cases, the number of cases that were inactive and released from control, the number of inpatients and of institutions for inpatient care, the proportion of lepromatous, tuberculoid, and indeterminate patients, and the frequency of disabilities. Comparison of the data from different countries was made difficult by non-uniform use of epidemiological terminology. In the circumstances, it would be hazardous to make an appraisal of the leprosy programmes in many of the countries, and it is difficult to determine correctly the trend of the endemics in these countries. The data collected suggest that the total number of estimated cases has not changed substantially in the last 5 years.