OVERALL PREVALENCE:

• Karnataka: 0.33% (2023-2024), slightly up from 0.31% (2022-2023).
• National Average: 0.6%

DISTRICT-WISE DISTRIBUTION:

• Three districts (Koppal, Vijayanagara, Ballari) have prevalence rates higher than the national average.
• Ten districts exceed the state average.
• Highest Prevalence: Koppal (0.78%)
• Lowest Prevalence: Hassan (0.04%), Chikkamagaluru (0.07%)

GRADE II DEFORMITY:

• Rate on the rise:
  • 2019-2020: 2.5%
  • 2020-2021: 2.6%
  • 2021-2022: 3.04%
  • 2022-2023: 3.65%
  • 2023-2024: 3.64%

MULTIBACILLARY (MB) LEPROSY CASES:

• Percentage among new cases has decreased slightly.
  • 2019-2020: 71% of 2,724 cases
  • 2020-2021: 78%
  • 2021-2022: 81%
  • 2022-2023: 80%
  • 2023-2024/2025 (till December): 78%
• National Average for MB Cases: 60.88%

LEPROSY CONTROL EFFORTS:

• Early Detection & Treatment: Crucial to prevent deformity. Multi-Drug Treatment (MDT) is free at public health facilities.
• Sparsh Leprosy Awareness Campaign (SLAC): Conducted annually (January 30 – February 13) to raise awareness about early detection and treatment.
• Goal: Complete cure to prevent disability and overcome stigma.
• Coordination: Emphasis on interdepartmental coordination for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

• Migrant Population: High incidence among migrants from Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal. Treatment discontinuation and drug resistance are concerns.

SYMPTOMS OF LEPROSY:

• Light, white, or copper-colored shiny skin patches.
• Loss of sensation (touch, pain, temperature).
• Absence of sweat on affected areas (especially back and thighs).