Epidemiological aspects and implications of the disappearance of leprosy from Norway; some factors contributing to the decline

Abstract

The Norwegian experience demonstrates the need for and benefits from an adequate system for acquisition of information on leprosy patients. Such a system is important from a practical preventive as well as from a general epidemiological point of view. Thus, the Norwegian experience supports the initiative taken by WHO in establishing information systems in countries where leprosy is prevalent today. Taking into consideration the often highly insufficient nutrition found in endemic areas today, the Norwegian experience suggests a systematic approach towards improved nutritional conditions in such areas, evaluating its effects in the perspective of leprosy control. The possible epidemiological implications of the finding of M. leprae-like organisms in the environment should be further pursued. Both in the evaluation of nutritional programmes and in the analyses of the epidemiological significance of environmental mycobacteria, there is a great need for immunological tools. The implementation of such tools in epidemiological settings seems necessary to clarify most of the problems challenging leprology today.