Leprosy disease

REGD. No. D. L.-33002/99 GOVERNMENT OF INDIA Delhi Gazette SG-DL-E-17072026-274587 EXTRAORDINARY PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 183] DELHI, TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026/ASHADHA 23, 1948 [N. C. T. D. No. 107 PART IV GOVERNMENT OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY OF DELHI DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF HEALTH SERVICES NOTIFICATION Delhi, the 9th July, 2026 No. F. DSHM/NLEP/NOTIFIABLE DISEASE/01/60/2025-26/Jbkdsh/50.—Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucosal surfaces of the upper respiratory tract, and the eyes. If left untreated, leprosy can lead to progressive and permanent damage to these areas, resulting in complications such as disfigurement, blindness, and loss of sensation in the extremities. Leprosy is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contact with untreated cases. Having average incubation period of 5-7 years, the symptoms of leprosy can appear within 1 year but may take up to 20 years or even more to show. Whereas, the Government of India is making concerted efforts to achieve Leprosy Free India. Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.3 aims to “end the epidemics of communicable diseases" by 2030. In alignment with the Global Strategy 2021-2030, India has launched National Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to accelerate progress towards interrupting the transmission of Leprosy. In order to achieve the goal of interruption of transmission of Leprosy by 2030, it is important to establish a strong surveillance and disease reporting system at all levels to take appropriate public health measures and policy interventions. Therefore, mandatory notification of all New Leprosy cases is required to strengthen the Leprosy surveillance to know the disease incidence and accordingly prioritization of public Health measures required to be undertaken in Human section. This will help to develop strategies as per regional requirements for prevention, control and elimination of Leprosy. Whereas, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (MoHFW, GoI) in its letter vide D.O No. Z-14020/05/2025-Lep. dated 14th May 2025 requested all States/UTs to make Leprosy a Notifiable disease, applicable across all sectors- government, private, non- governmental organizations, corporate healthcare providers and medical institutions including private medical colleges. There should be mandatory reporting of all diagnosed cases to District Leprosy Officer or Chief Medical Officer of the respective district. Whereas the diagnosis, management & notification of confirmed Leprosy cases is as per the guidelines issued by National Leprosy Eradication Program, Govt. of India, from time to time. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (Act No 3 of 1897), the Lieutenant Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi hereby declares 'Leprosy' as a 'Notifiable Disease' in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Accordingly, all health personnel and field functionaries including Doctors, Pathologist, Microbiologists and health care workers in Public, Private and NGO sectors shall mandatorily notify all diagnosed cases of leprosy within two weeks to the District Leprosy Officer of the concerned district with a copy to the State Leprosy Officer, National Leprosy Eradication Programme (NLEP) in the format prescribed appended as Annexure-I and the list of District Leprosy Officers as Annexure-II to the notification. This notification shall come into force with immediate effect and shall remain valid till further orders. By Order and in the Name of Lt. Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi, C.L. ROY, Dy. Secy. Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064 and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054. KUMER CHAND MEENA