According to leprosy statistics, the disease is more common in tropical countries. The largest numbers of leprosy patients continue to be in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, with smaller numbers in South and Central America. Other leprosy statistics indicate that in the United States, there are approximately 6,500 cases, 90 percent of which are in immigrants from countries where leprosy is widespread.
Leprosy Statistics Worldwide
In 1994, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that there were 2.4 million cases of
leprosy worldwide, with 1.7 million cases registered on treatment. The estimates for 1985 were 10 to 12 million and 5.4 million, respectively.
According to these leprosy statistics, in 1994, 70 percent of those who should have been on treatment are now being treated. In 1992, there were 690,000 new cases reported, and in 1993, 591,00 cases. There are also an estimated 2 to 3 million cases of people who have completed treatment but still have residual disabilities.
Leprosy Statistics on Locations
Leprosy is more common in tropical countries. In some of these countries, leprosy is present in 1 to 2 percent of the population. The largest numbers of leprosy patients continue to be in Southeast Asia and Central Africa, with smaller numbers in South and Central America. The largest numbers of patients in the Western Hemisphere are in Brazil.
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