What is the definition of a case of leprosy? Does it include cured patients who still have residual disabilities?
WHO’s Guide to Eliminate Leprosy as a Public Health Problem (1997) defines a case of leprosy as a person having one or more of the following, and who has yet to complete a full course of treatment: • hypopigmented or reddish skin lesion(s) with definite loss of sensation • damage to the peripheral nerves, as demonstrated by loss of sensation and mobility to hand, feet or face • positive skin smears. It does not include cured persons with residual disabilities.
