Recent trends in leprosy in a large district of West Bengal, India, revealed by a modified leprosy elimination campaign (MLEC), 1998

A Modified Leprosy Elimination Campaign (MLEC) in September 1998 in the District of Midnapore, West Bengal, covered a population of 8.1 million people and detected 8181 new cases. Available data from 7328 cases were studied to observe the trend for leprosy in this area. Data are presented on sex and age distribution, classification and the proportions of multibacillary (MB), paucibacillary (PB) and single skin lesion (SSL) cases discovered in a period of only 8 days. The large numbers of people examined in this district and the high total of new cases revealed are in keeping with experience in other parts of the State and in other parts of India. However, many cases were found in endemic areas and these will receive special attention in a second MLEC, planned for January 2000.