Chile Becomes First Country in the Americas to Eliminate Leprosy

In a landmark public health achievement, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have officially verified Chile as the first country in the Americas to eliminate leprosy disease. The South American nation is also only the second country in the world to receive this distinction.

The verification confirms what Chile's health system has quietly accomplished over decades: more than 30 years without a single locally transmitted case of leprosy. The last locally acquired case was detected in 1993, on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), where the disease had been historically recorded since the late 19th century.

Decades of Vigilance

What makes Chile's achievement particularly impressive is that it wasn't accomplished through a single dramatic intervention. Instead, it reflects decades of sustained public health vigilance, robust surveillance systems, and a health infrastructure that never stopped paying attention — even when the disease was no longer an active threat.

Between 2012 and 2023, Chile reported 47 cases nationwide, but crucially, none were locally acquired. Every case was identified through the country's integrated surveillance network, which includes mandatory reporting, primary care screening, and specialized dermatology referrals.

"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. "Chile's elimination of leprosy sends a clear message to the world: with sustained commitment, inclusive health services, and universal access to care, we can consign ancient diseases to history."

A Model for the Region

Chile's approach offers a blueprint that other nations in the Americas and around the world can follow. The country's health system uses primary care centers as the first point of detection, with rapid referrals to specialized services for diagnosis and treatment. Clinicians receive ongoing training aligned with WHO's "Towards Zero Leprosy" strategy.

The system goes beyond mere detection. It prioritizes early intervention, disability prevention, and holistic care — including physiotherapy and rehabilitation services — ensuring that anyone affected by leprosy receives comprehensive support for both immediate and long-term health needs.

Chile's Minister of Health, Ximena Aguilera, called the milestone "a source of great pride" for the country. "This milestone reflects decades of sustained public health efforts, including prevention strategies, early diagnosis, effective treatment, continuous follow-up, and the commitment of health teams across the country," she said.

What Elimination Means

It's important to note that elimination doesn't mean the disease can never appear again. Rather, it means Chile has demonstrated the capacity to prevent local transmission and to quickly detect and respond to any imported cases. The country will continue its surveillance programs and clinical readiness to maintain this status.

With this achievement, Chile becomes the 61st country globally to eliminate at least one neglected tropical disease, and the sixth in the Americas to reach such a milestone. The verification was conducted by an independent expert panel convened by PAHO and WHO in 2025, which thoroughly reviewed epidemiological data, surveillance mechanisms, and sustainability plans.

A Message of Hope

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, has carried enormous stigma throughout human history. Chile's elimination serves as proof that ancient diseases need not persist where modern public health systems are properly maintained and funded.

PAHO Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa emphasized the broader significance: "Being the first country in the Americas to be confirmed as eliminating leprosy sends a powerful message to the Region — that diseases strongly linked to groups living in vulnerable conditions can be eliminated, contributing to interrupt the vicious circle between disease and poverty."

For the rest of the Americas, Chile's success is both an inspiration and a challenge: proof that elimination is achievable, and a reminder that it requires long-term commitment, not just short-term interventions.