Innovative strategies to strengthen contact surveillance and intervene in the transmission of leprosy in endemic areas

Country: Brazil

Location(s): Fortaleza, Sobral, Maracanaú, Redenção, Recife, Olinda, Paulista, Porto Velho, Ariquemes, Cacoal, Teresina, Campo Maior, Machadinho, Alto Alegre, Rolim de Moura, Pimenta Bueno

Zero Transmission Project: Starting in 2024 and running until 2026, in the cities of Maracanaú, Fortaleza, Sobral and Redenção, with the aim of training and monitoring doctors, nurses and health agents until they are able to fully carry out suspicion, diagnosis and treatment of people with leprosy. Also involve leaders among people affected by leprosy so that they can monitor and support projects in advocacy aspects with local authorities as well as develop research to evaluate post-exposure chemoprophylaxis schemes (PEP using SRD-PEP and Rifampetin), evaluate a technological tool surveillance and monitoring and develop a counseling protocol for the use of the ML Flow rapid test for contacts of people with leprosy.

ILEP Members involved

NLR
Alexandre Menezes

Associazione Italiana Amici di Raoul Follereau
Stefano Simoni

Partners

University of Ceará, FIOCRUZ, University of Piaui, Evandro Chagas Institute, MORHAN, Health and Social States Government, Health and Social Municipalities Government, CIEDDS