The World Health Organization has verified Jordan as the first country in the world to have eliminated leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease. While leprosy still occurs in over 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported annually, the majority of new cases are reported in Southeast Asia. Saima Wazed, WHO’s regional director for Southeast Asia, and head of WHO’s global leprosy program, congratulated Jordan on this milestone. This achievement highlights the ongoing global effort to eradicate leprosy and the importance of continued vigilance in the fight against the disease.
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