Prevalence rate of leprosy in three Karnataka districts higher than national average

Although Karnataka is considered a low leprosy endemic State, the prevalence rate in three districts — Koppal, Vijayanagara, and Ballari — continues to be higher than the national average of 0.6%. Overall, the State has recorded a prevalence rate of 0.33% in 2023–2024. January 30 is observed as National Leprosy Eradication Day.

Although Karnataka is considered a low leprosy endemic State, the prevalence rate in three districts — Koppal, Vijayanagara, and Ballari — continues to be higher than the national average of 0.6%. Overall, the State has recorded a prevalence rate of 0.33% in 2023–2024. January 30 is observed as National Leprosy Eradication Day.

With a marginal rise in the number of new cases detected in the last two years, the overall prevalence rate has also gone up from 0.31% in 2022-2023 to 0.33% in 2023-2024.  While the district-wise data shows that the prevalence is less than 1% in Karnataka, 10 districts have crossed the State’s average prevalence rate. While Koppal has the highest prevalence rate at 0.78%, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru have the lowest at 0.04% and 0.07% respectively.

The rate of Grade II deformity has also been on the rise. While it was 2.5% in 2019–2020; the rate of deformity rose to 2.6% and 3.04% in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively. This further rose to 3.65% in 2022-2023 and has almost remained the same (3.64%) in 2023-2024.

However, the percentage of multibacillary (infectious) leprosy cases among the new cases detected since 2022-2023 has reduced. Multibacillary (MB) leprosy is a more severe form of the disease.

While 71% of the total 2,724 cases detected in 2019–2020 were MB cases; the percentage rose to 78% and 81% in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, respectively.

However, the number of multibacillary cases reduced to 80% in 2022-2023 and 78% in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 (till December). The national average is 60.88%, according to data from the State Health and Family Welfare Department.

Rekha S., State in-charge Joint Director (Leprosy), told The Hindu that leprosy is a non-fatal but a deformity causing disease. It affects not only the individual but also the family and community with social implications of stigma and discrimination.