KDCA: "Five New Leprosy Cases in Korea in 2024, All Are Foreign Nationals"

Sharing the Current Status of Leprosy in Korea and Abroad
KDCA Announces Achievements in Leprosy Eradication on World Leprosy Day

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) marked 'World Leprosy Day' by sharing the current status of leprosy both domestically and internationally, and announced the achievements in eradicating leprosy in Korea on the 26th.

World Leprosy Day was established after French philanthropist Raoul Follereau witnessed the plight of people affected by leprosy, leading to a resolution declared by the French Parliament on January 31, 1954. This year marks the 72nd observance of the day.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 182,815 new leprosy cases worldwide in 2023. Of these, 71.9% were reported in Southeast Asia, including India and Indonesia. In Korea, the number of new leprosy cases has remained in the single digits since 2008. In 2024, a total of five new leprosy cases were reported, all of whom were foreigners.

In response, the KDCA plans to increase the number of free leprosy screenings for foreigners from the current 12 to 15 times per year to enable earlier detection and treatment. To improve accessibility, the agency also intends to strengthen leprosy screening projects for foreigners by integrating leprosy testing with screenings for other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Additionally, the government supports mobile, outpatient, and inpatient medical services for people affected by leprosy through the Catholic Institute for Hansen’s Disease and the Korea Hansen Welfare Association to ensure treatment and prevent relapse. Most domestic leprosy patients who require rehabilitation or relapse management after completing treatment are elderly and live in aging environments. Taking this into consideration, the government is implementing various programs to improve living conditions and provide livelihood support, in addition to medical assistance.

Ji Youngmi, Commissioner of the KDCA, stated, "Most people affected by leprosy in Korea have long been socially disadvantaged and denied basic human rights due to persistent social prejudice and discrimination. We will continue to work harder to ensure their stability and well-being." She added, "While leprosy is stably managed in Korea, it has not yet been completely eradicated and could still occur through cases imported from abroad. Therefore, I urge healthcare professionals to remain vigilant and actively conduct screening and surveillance for early detection of leprosy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.