Fw: Ref.: (LML) How invincible is HD?

 

 

Leprosy Mailing List –  April 5,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) How invincible is HD?

From: Ben Naafs, Munnekeburen, the Netherlands

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Pieter,

I fully agree with Joel LML, April 4, 2026).  

And I would support the use of Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), as a promising point-of-care. NAAT does not require sophisticated laboratory equipment, is easy to perform, and is applicable for decentralized diagnosis at the primary health care level.

Regards,

Ben

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: (LML) Reminder: Be part of the LRI Spring Meeting 2026

 

Leprosy Mailing List –  April 4,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) Reminder: Be part of the LRI Spring Meeting 2026

From: LRI, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear colleagues,

 

The LRI Spring Meeting 2026 is just days away—will you be joining us?
 
On April 9 & 10 (13:30–17:15 CEST), researchers from around the world will come together online to share new findings, exchange ideas, and discuss progress in leprosy research.
 
🔍 What to expect? 
Get direct access to the latest research, hear from leading experts, and engage in live discussions where your questions are part of the conversation.
 
🌍 Who can join?
Anyone interested in leprosy research -scientists, professionals, and curious minds alike. Participation is free of charge.
 
If you've been meaning to register, consider this your reminder.
Join us online and be part of the global conversation

 

Join us for the LRI Spring Meeting 2026

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: Ref.: (LML) How invincible is HD?

 

 

Leprosy Mailing List –   April 4,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) How invincible is HD?

From: Joel Almeida, Mumbai, India

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Pieter and colleagues,

Cuba has used short-term chemoprophylaxis (PEP) since 2002 with little or no reduction in newly detected MB HD cases/year: about 150 in 2004 vs about 140 in 2024. [WHO Wkly Epid Reports 2005 & 2025] By contrast, Malta completely eliminated HD (H Disease) using reliable diagnosis of LL HD and prolonged anti-microbial protection of LL patients against reinfection, without any  use of short-term chemoprophylaxis. [1] Weifang in Shandong, China, achieved >15%/year decline in new HD and MB HD, again without short-term chemoprophylaxis and at a time when Shandong had lower per capita income than Yunnan has today [2] Similarly rapid declines were achieved in Karigiri (India), Karonga (Malawi), Vietnam, Thailand, Pakistan, Ecuador, Jordan, Chile, all without short-term chemoprophylaxis. Good diagnosis of LL HD and preventing reinfection of LL by full free treatment seem highly effective in stopping HD, aided no doubt by improving nutrition, income and schooling.

Even more rapidly effective in a case cluster would be to promptly find and treat all the sources of concentrated viable bacilli. The nose is the main site of entry as well as exit of bacilli [3]. Not a single one of 208 new BL patients had a BI of 5+ or 6+ in nasal discharges, whereas many LL patients did so. Unfortunately LL HD can have few or no signs in nerves or skin. Nasal swabs for semi-quantitative mLAMP enable rapid low-cost identification of  persons with astronomical numbers of bacilli, as in LL HD (within <1 hour without the need for thermocycler). Several centres are working on mLAMP kits. Anti-microbials make nasal discharges non-infectious within days. This means that a case cluster or village can be rendered devoid of sources of infection within days, providing that nasal swabs are taken in a short period from all asymptomatic persons in a case cluster. Once all sources of concentrated viable bacilli in a cluster are rendered non-infectious, transmission is difficult to sustain. A cluster or village free of concentrated bacilli is achievable within weeks. That is worth doing in every endemic village or cluster until Malta-like success is achieved in every endemic country. Sites where migrant workers congregate would require a similar approach. Armadillo states would require PPE and public education.

Science, respect and justice offer a highly effective and rapid path to stopping HD, while sparing contacts from a boosted risk of visible deformity before diagnosis. [4] We can make a thousand Maltas bloom, safely and respectfully. The best part is that an army of persons with lived experience is available to collect nasal swabs, after basic training.

With all sincerity,

Joel Almeida

 References

1.     Jacobson RR, Gatt P. Can leprosy be eradicated with chemotherapy? An evaluation of the Malta Leprosy Eradication Project. Lepr Rev 2008; 79(4):410-5

2.      Li HY, Weng XM, Li T et al. Long-Term Effect of Leprosy Control in Two Prefectures of China, 1955-1993. Int J Lepr 1995 Jun;63(2):213-221.

 

3.      Davey TF, Rees RJ. The nasal dicharge in leprosy: clinical and bacteriological aspects. Lepr Rev. 1974 Jun;45(2):121-34

4.      Almeida JG, Talhari S, Salgado CG et al (2025). Visible Deformity after HD
(Leprosy) Chemoprophylaxis among Tribal People in India: Quantitative Analysis of Data Extracted from Published Sources. Indian J Lepr. 97: 175-188

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: Ref.: (LML) WHO Goodwill Ambassador's Leprosy Bulletin NO. 130, March 2026

 

Leprosy Mailing List �C  March 31,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) WHO Goodwill Ambassador's Leprosy Bulletin NO. 130, March 2026

From: Takahiro NANRI, Tokyo, Japan

____________________________________________________________________________

Dear Dr. Schreuder and Friends,  

 

Warm greetings from Sasakawa Health Foundation/ Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative in Tokyo.

We have issued WHO Goodwill Ambassador's Leprosy Bulletin NO.130 March 2026 "Getting to elimination requires approaches from all angles." In this issue, we feature: 

 

MESSAGE FROM THE AMBASSADOR
This year, 2026, will be my 25th as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination. During this quarter-century, I have visited 127 countries and devoted more than 3,700 days to activities promoting the elimination of leprosy. Read More 

 

VIEWPOINT
Modeling insights into the impact of SDR-PEP

Dr. David Blok, Assistant Professor, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam

Evidence indicates that single-dose rifampicin (SDR) reduces the risk of developing leprosy among contacts by approximately 60%. SDR starts working immediately by killing the bacteria that cause leprosy in people who have been exposed. Read more

 

VIEWPOINT
Field studies support implementation of SDR-PEP for interruption of transmission

Dr. M. A. Arif, International public health consultant, International public health consultant

Studies on the use and impact of single-dose rifampicin (SDR) as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) have been and are being carried out under routine national programs in many countries, including India, Nepal, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Read more 

 

VIEWPOINT
Members of the 3rd Global Forum's Oversight Committee are working to promote rights-based approaches and meaningful participation

In July 2025, with facilitation support from the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative, organizations participating in the 3rd Global Forum of People's Organizations on Leprosy/Hansen's Disease, held in Bali, Indonesia, established a global level Oversight Committee. Read more

 

AMBASSADOR'S JOURNAL

Meeting with Indonesia's President and Minister of Health / Roundtable discussion with Queen of the Belgians

WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa met with President of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin at the president's private residence on Jan. 16, 2026. Read more

 

REPORT
Global Appeal 2026 focuses on education's role in ending leprosy stigma and discrimination

The Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy was launched on Jan. 29, 2026, in Brussels, Belgium, at an event co-hosted by Education International and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative, in partnership with the Damien Foundation. Read more 

 

OBITUARY

In honor of Martha Cecilia, who dedicated her life to vulnerable people

Contributed by Lucrecia Vásquez Acevedo, legal representative of FELEHANSEN

Martha Cecilia Barbosa Ladino lived a life defined by love, service, and unwavering commitment to others. She was a daughter, sister, life partner, mother, grandmother, aunt, and loyal friend whose kindness and strength touched everyone who knew her. Read more 

 

OBITUARY
Lawyer and activist Doddy Agustinus Tumadduk passed away in Indonesia

Contributed by Al Kadri, chair of PerMaTa Indonesia

With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Doddy Agustinus Tumadduk on Dec. 27, 2025, at the age of 46. He was laid to rest at the Panaikan Christian Cemetery in Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Read more 

 

BACK ISSUES 

 

We hope that you would enjoy reading the latest Leprosy Bulletin. 

 

Takahiro NANRI, Ph.D.
President, Sasakawa Health Foundation

*********************************************************
Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative
Sasakawa Health Foundation
Tel：81-3-6229-5377, Fax：81-33-6229-5388
email: hansen@shf.or.jp

*********************************************************

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: Ref.: (LML) LRI Spring Meeting 2026

 

Leprosy Mailing List –  March 19,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) LRI Spring Meeting 2026

From: LRI, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear colleagues,

 

Join us for the LRI Spring Meeting 2026! 

The Leprosy Research Initiative (LRI) Spring Meeting is back for its eleventh edition, bringing together researchers, experts, and professionals to share the latest advancements in leprosy research. This key event serves as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, discussion, and connection with colleagues worldwide. 

What to expect? 
✔ Inspiring keynote presentations  
✔ Project presentations showcasing the progress of 35 LRI-funded research projects 
✔ Opportunities for Q&A and interaction with researchers and peers from around the globe 

Why attend? 
✔ Stay up to date on the latest research and findings in the leprosy field 
✔ Connect with international colleagues and exchange insights 
✔ Participate for free -no cost to attend! 

🔗 Register & explore the programme! 
Secure your spot today by visiting our event website. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of an essential conversation in leprosy research. 

We look forward to welcoming you online! 

 

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: Ref.: (LML) Elimination of leprosy: Chili the first country in the Americas

Leprosy Mailing List –  March 17,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) Elimination of leprosy: Chili the first country in the Americas

From: Dr. Francesca Gajete, Manila, The Philippines

____________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Dear Dr Pieter,

 

Good day! 

 

I might have missed this good news over LML and ILA briefings. 

 

Again,it's very inspiring and insightful to note that another country has successfully achieved the global goal on zero leprosy even before 2030 as reported by WHO thru PAHO, if I may allow me to share.

 

Chile becomes the first country in the Americas to be verified by WHO for the elimination of leprosy

4 March 2026 

News release

 

Santiago / Washington, D.C. / Geneva

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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Fw: Ref.: (LML) Leprosy Referral Centers in Africa providing Surgical Assistance

 

Leprosy Mailing List –  March 15,  2026

 

Ref.:  (LML) Leprosy Referral Centers in Africa providing Surgical Assistance

From: Wim Theuvenet, Apeldoorn, the Netherlands

____________________________________________________________________________

 

Dear Pieter,

 

Greetings!!

Would you have a list of Leprosy Referral Centers in the several countries in Africa??

After the Bali ILC 2025 I receive requests for the addresses of these from patiënts seeking surgical assistance!

 

Warm regards!!

 

Wim Theuvenet

____________________________________________________________________________

LML - S Deepak, B Naafs, S Noto and P Schreuder

LML blog link: http://leprosymailinglist.blogspot.it/

Contact: Dr Pieter Schreuder << edit...@gmail.com

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