COIMBATORE: As many as 36 new leprosy cases were detected during the phase 2 of the door-to-door Leprosy Case Detection Campaign in Coimbatore district which was held from Jan 19 to Feb 9, officials said. As many as 20 cases were identified in rural areas and 16 cases in urban areas. According to district health officials, there is not much difference between the total number of cases detected in phase 2 and in phase 1. Phase 1 was held in August 2025. But the number of cases detected in urban areas has increased significantly in phase 2 following a change in the detection patterns. In phase 1, the number of suspect cases identified by volunteers was 36,228 with 38 total new cases detected. Of this, 31 cases were in rural areas while seven were in urban areas. The 38 includes a child case. All detected cases had no visible deformity. In phase 2, as many as 38,078 people were suspected to have leprosy, of which 36 cases were confirmed. Urban areas had 16 cases while rural areas had 20 cases. There was no child case. An official said, “These are hidden cases and have been identified in the early stage with no deformity. The total number of cases remains moderate when compared to districts like Erode and Trichy which usually report a larger number of cases. This time we have reached out to houses in early mornings –between 7am and 8am — to ensure that all working people are covered. This is a positive sign towards the elimination of leprosy by 2027. Earlier, two major blocks, Anaimalai and Annur, were hotspots. But we have concentrated on urban areas, as well, since 2025.”
