Epidemiology of Leprosy in Spain: The Role of the International Migration.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although incidence of leprosy in Spain has declined steadily over the years, the fivefold increase in immigration since the turn of the century--much of it from countries where leprosy is still prevalent--has been linked to an uptick in registered cases.

Objective

To describe the epidemiologic trends of incident leprosy cases detected in Spain among Spanish- and foreign-born population groups.

Methods

Observational, retrospective study of suspected leprosy cases in Spain, as reported through the System of Compulsory Notification of Diseases from 2003 to 2013, with results disaggregated by country of birth. We collected statistical data on leprosy burden for other countries from WHO to estimate the expected number of imported cases.

Results

Of the 168

SUBMITTER: Ramos JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4777425 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature