It’s a disease that has afflicted commoners and kings alike for millennia (along with armadillos), but for the first time in history, a country has completely eliminated leprosy.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan achieved this incredible feat and is the first country to be recognized as having done so by the WHO, whose Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, commended the nation for its diligent work on behalf of its citizens. .
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It mainly affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. Untreated, leprosy can cause permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent disability.
Leprosy is considered a neglected tropical disease (NTD) that still affects more than 120 countries. More than 200,000 new cases are reported each year.
This affected King Baldwin IV, the 11th-century Crusader monarch of Jerusalem, who is said to have worn a mask and veil to hide his disfigurement from his subjects.
“Leprosy has afflicted humanity for millennia, but in country after country we are stopping transmission and freeing individuals, families and communities from its suffering and stigma,” said Dr. Ghebreyesus.
Thanks to Jordan’s success in targeting transmission, the country has had no reported cases of indigenous leprosy for more than two decades and, after a thorough review by the WHO investigation team, has received the distinction of being the first to completely eliminate the disease.
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“The elimination of leprosy in Jordan is an achievement that will transform the discourse around this age-old and stigmatizing disease,” said Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. “As the first country to achieve this goal globally, Jordan serves as an inspiration to other countries, encouraging them to redouble their efforts and overcome obstacles to achieve this remarkable feat. »
This announcement follows the recognition of Egypt as a malaria-free country.
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