[Leprosy in Vanuatu].

Abstract

Leprosy is commonly thought to have been introduced during the 19th century and can still be considered as a public health problem in Vanuatu. From 1965 to 1984, 651 cases were notified throughout the country, with a total incidence rate of 5.85%. The 1984 survey reported 273 active cases and 190 inactive cases, most of them were paucibacillary cases. Sex ratio H/F is 1.7. Geographical distribution is clustered into two major and two minor foci. Prevalence rate is 2.1%. Annual incidence rate is decreasing with 21 cases in 1985 and 15 cases in 1986. Reported figures are smaller than those reported in the neighbouring countries.