title: Incidence of Hansen's Disease--United States, 1994-2011.
abstract: Hansen's disease (HD), or leprosy, is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and is reportable in many states. It is a chronic disease affecting the skin and nerves, commonly presenting as pale or reddish skin patches with diminished sensation. Without treatment, it can progress to a severely debilitating disease with nerve damage, tissue destruction, and functional loss. An important factor in limiting HD morbidity is early diagnosis and prompt initiation of therapy. Because HD is rare, clinicians in the United States are often unfamiliar with it; however, HD continues to cause morbidity in the United States. To better characterize at-risk U.S. populations, HD trends during 1994-2011 were evaluated by reviewing records from the National Hansen's Disease Program (NHDP). When the periods 1994-1996 and 2009-2011 were compared, a decline in the rate for new diagnoses from 0.52 to 0.43 per million was observed. The rate among foreign-born persons decreased from 3.66 to 2.29, whereas the rate among U.S.-born persons was 0.16 in both 1994-1996 and 2009-2011. Delayed diagnosis was more common among foreign-born persons. Clinicians throughout the United States should familiarize themselves with the signs and symptoms of HD and understand that HD can occur in the United States.
authors.forename: Leisha
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nolen
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haberling
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Scollard
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Truman
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Lainz
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Blaney
mesh_terms: D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007918:Leprosy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology