AMERICA/BRAZIL - In the whole of America, Brazil had almost 96% of the 39,939 new cases of leprosy registered in 2002. Government campaign to eliminate leprosy in Brazil by 2005

Friday, 14 May 2004

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Rome (Fides Service) - The Brazilian government has launched a campaign with which it hopes by 2005 to eliminate leprosy in Brazil where more than 90% of the reported cases in the whole of America were registered.
More in detail: in 2003 in Brazil 3.88 cases were registered in every 10,000 people, giving a total number of about 45,000 new sufferers.
According to the World Health Organisation Brazil is the second only to India for the number of new cases registered in 2002 Brazil 38, 365, India 473, 685, followed by Indonesia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria and Angola.
Nevertheless the rate of infection (4.1 cases every 10.000) that year in 2002 was higher than in India 3.3. Of the 39,939 new cases of leprosy registered in 2002 in all America 38.365, or 96%, were registered in Brazil.
The Brazilian health ministry says the campaign promoted through the media aims to teach Brazilians to recognise the disease as soon as the first signs appear and to reduce prejudice towards those who suffer from leprosy.
The campaign includes advertisements on television and radio. The goal is to eliminate leprosy by the end of next year. (AP) (14/5/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:20; Parole:224)