Leprosy Cases Surge 20% in Tamil Nadu: Deformities Rise

From April to December 2025, Tamil Nadu recorded 2,291 new leprosy cases, marking a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2024. This rise, coupled with a significant jump in grade 2 deformities from 1.1% to 3.4%, signals delayed diagnoses and ongoing community transmission. Despite the state meeting national prevalence and deformity rate targets, experts express concern over the upward trend.

Community medicine specialists point to historical central funding cuts since 2005, which have reduced surveillance staff, as a key factor. They also highlight unreported private diagnoses and the clustering of highly contagious grade 3 deformities among migrant workers in poor living conditions. Persistent social stigma surrounding leprosy further exacerbates the problem, preventing early detection.

Public health departments organize biannual special drives, but health educators argue these are insufficient. Enduring myths and the public's tendency to ignore early symptoms like numb skin patches contribute to diagnoses only occurring at advanced stages. This situation raises doubts about achieving leprosy eradication by 2027.