Skip to content
Free updates Login
SSCRailwayUPSC & State PSC

Chile Eliminates Leprosy: First in the Americas, WHO Verifies

9 March 20261 min read
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSChile EliminatesLeprosy: First inthe Americas,WHO Verifies9 March 2026safalsetu.com

Why in the news

The World Health Organization confirmed that Chile no longer has leprosy as a public health problem, a first for the Americas region.

Key facts

  • Verifier: World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Rank: first in the Americas, second globally after Jordan.
  • Elimination threshold: below one case per 10,000 people.
  • Linked to PAHO’s Disease Elimination Initiative, which aims for several communicable diseases by 2030.
PositionCountry
First worldwideJordan
Second worldwide / first in AmericasChile

Exam angle

  • Disease: leprosy.
  • Agency verifying: WHO; regional body: PAHO.
  • Target year of the initiative: 2030.

Test yourself

1. Which country became the first in the Americas to eliminate leprosy, as verified by WHO?

Chile is the first in the Americas.

2. Which country was the first worldwide to eliminate leprosy before Chile, according to the notes?

Chile is second globally after Jordan.

3. WHO defines leprosy elimination as fewer than how many cases per 10,000 population?

The threshold is less than one case per 10,000.

This topic is part of Daily Current Affairs 6 & 7 March 2026 (26 topics).

All topics of the dayDay quizMarch 2026

Read more