Study on Leprosy Hotspots in Chennai
- A study titled “Urban Hotspots of Leprosy: Child and Migrant-linked Transmission in Chennai, 2021–2025” analysed leprosy trends using programme data from 15 administrative zones.
- Published in the Tamil Nadu Journal of Public Health and Medical Research.
- Conducted by the Directorate of Medical & Rural Health Services (Leprosy) across 15 zones of Chennai.
Key findings
- 515 new leprosy cases recorded in Chennai over 5 years.
- Overall ANCDR (Annual New Case Detection Rate):
- 1.0 per 1,00,000 (2021) → 1.3 (2025)
- Temporary spike >2.0 during 2022–23.
- Six zones showed ANCDR above 2.0 (range 0–4.9), mainly: 3 industrial hubs & 3 border zones.
- Majority of detected cases occurred among migrant workers from other States.
