Reports IndicesFriday, 6 March 2026·The Hindu
WHO verifies Chile as first country in the Americas to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem
Chile became the first country in the Americas and the fourth globally to receive WHO verification for leprosy elimination.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In March 2026, the World Health Organization verified Chile as the first country in the Americas and the 4th globally to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem.
Key specifics
- The verification is based on sustained national prevalence of less than 1 case per 10,000 population.
- Chile is the first country in the Americas to receive this WHO verification.
- The country is only the 4th globally to achieve the verification.
- WHO cited high treatment completion rates of more than 95%.
- Very low child case proportion and strong surveillance and contact-tracing were also noted.
Exam lens
TNPSC may ask a health-and-international-report question: WHO verification, Chile, first in the Americas, 4th globally, less than 1 per 10,000. One-line framing: public-health elimination is judged by prevalence, treatment completion and surveillance.