Leprosy detection rate in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

Ref.:   Leprosy detection rate in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil
From: W. J.Theuvenet, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

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Dear Dr. M Leide W. de Oliveira,

Thank you for sharing your utmost interesting statistics! It is encouraging to see [*] that in both areas the new case detection rate has come down between 2002 and 2010! 

Question:-

Can it be that the decrease is also influenced by a change in your approach for new case finding (household contact examinations and continuous local campaigns)?  It seems that in the earlier phase your campaigns focused on all 4 districts in Duque de Caxias, while later on the focus was on much smaller areas?

With best wishes,

Willem J. Theuvenet,

Reconstructive surgeon and leprologist.