Resources
WHO Technical Guidance: Leprosy/Hansen’s disease contact tracing and post-exposure prophylaxis
Published: 1 December, 2020“In order to bring down the case detection among leprosy contacts from Point A to Point B, programmes can choose to treat 100 contacts with leprosy and nobody with chemoprophylaxis or provide chemoprophylaxis to all contacts and treat only 43 leprosy patients”. The latter choice is the most obvious for many programmes. This document provides guidance on how to implement contact screening and chemoprophylaxis with single-dose rifampicin. The contents are logically ordered: counselling and obtaining consent, identification and listing of index case, listing of contacts, tracing of contacts, screening of contacts, administration of prophylactic drugs. Managerial aspects to undertake contact screening and chemoprophylaxis are also elaborated, including planning, training, supervision and drug management.
VisitThe COVID-19 Crisis and Persons Affected by Leprosy Fact Sheet
Published: 22 September, 2020Persons affected by leprosy have been especially impacted by the worst consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons affected by leprosy have enacted policies and programmes intended to support persons affected during this crisis, although there are still gaps. The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy’s COVID-19 Emergency Advocacy Working Group and UN Special Rapporteur Alice Cruz gathered data from 100+ persons affected and partners, representing 24 countries, on available programmes and resources offering support to persons affected during this time. This fact sheet highlights some of the measures taken by governments and NGOs in the represented countries, and underscores the need for increased support.
DownloadUpdated: 11/06/2020
Advice about leprosy and COVID-19
Published: 10 April, 2020Advice about leprosy and COVID-19 from the WHO Global Leprosy Programme, ILEP, UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members Alice Cruz, and GPZL. Includes guidance on diagnosis and clinical management of leprosy patients, public health aspects of leprosy in the COVID-19 pandemic, and services for persons living with disabilities and/or psychosocial consequences of leprosy.
ENG FRUpdated: 10/04/2020
Nitrosamine concerns for rifapentine and rifampicin: Update and FAQs
Published: 13 January, 2021Update and FAQs from the World Health Organization on recent concerns for rifapentine and rifampicin
DownloadChallenges and a Path Forward for Leprosy during COVID-19: Working Group 1 Report
Published: 28 September, 2020GPZL’s Working Group 1, the Leprosy Emergency Operations Committee (LEOC), works to address and resolve issues in the supply of drugs for the treatment of leprosy and leprosy reactions, and other forms of care such as wound care, disability care, and social care, and supporting the work of National Leprosy Programmes. Working Group 1 includes representatives from GPZL member organizations and from Novartis/WHO with anti-leprosy drug supply expertise.
The LEOC held virtual meetings April – August 2020. LEOC members conducted two surveys: one to national leprosy program managers and the other to NGOs and CSOs. The members discussed the survey results, identified the countries most affected, and contacted program managers to understand the situation and the need for support. Working Group 1 found that COVID-19 was having a direct impact on clinics, MDT supply, patient access to care, and NGO activities. Read the full report below.
DownloadILEP Technical Commission 2020 Nomination Form
Published: 31 July, 2020The ILEP Technical Commission and the ILEP Advisory Panel, which consists of women and men affected by leprosy, both come up for re-appointment in October.
The appointments will be made by the ILEP Members’ Assembly, and we are now inviting nominations. Find the terms of reference and nomination form here. Nominations are due by 21 September.
DownloadTechnical guidance on Reaction Management and Disability Prevention
Published: 8 May, 2020Technical guidance from the WHO on the management of reactions and prevention of leprosy-related disability.
DownloadFrequently Asked Questions About SDR-PEP
Published: 22 January, 2020What is SDR-PEP for leprosy prevention? Why is SDR-PEP considered an important intervention for leprosy? How well has SDR-PEP been tested?
DownloadResearch Report: Diagnostics
Published: 11 July, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on diagnostics here.
DownloadResearch Report: Vaccines
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on vaccines here.
DownloadResearch Report: Stigma
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on stigma here.
DownloadResearch Report: Operational Research
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on operational research here.
DownloadResearch Report: Epidemiologic Modeling
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on epidemiologic modeling here.
DownloadResearch Report: Disability
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on disability here.
DownloadResearch Report: Digital Health
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on digital health here.
DownloadResearch Report: Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP)
Published: 27 June, 2019The GPZL’s Research Agenda Working Group analyzed current research and developed priorities in several key areas that could accelerate progress towards zero leprosy. Download the report on post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) here.
DownloadResults from 2030 Targets Survey
Published: 27 March, 2019For input in WHO’s post-2020 strategy, a February 2019 survey gathered feedback on potential global targets for 2030, grouped under the Triple Zero format. Special thanks to ILEP’s Technical Commission for designing the survey questions and Monty Mokhayer, ILEP Office, for implementing the survey and analysis.
DownloadUpdated: 09/04/2019
International Task Force for Disease Eradication-Summary
Published: 18 February, 2019The summary of the 2018 meeting of the International Task Force for Disease Eradication, published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record. The meeting was held April 2018 at The Carter Center in Atlanta. Experts met to review the status of global elimination of leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease), the availability of better diagnostic testing and treatment, reduction in social stigma, and research on the potential reservoir in armadillos.
DownloadEditorial: Evidence, opportunity, ethics, and the allure of zero leprosy by David G. Addiss
Published: 10 September, 2020After a decade in which the long-term downward trend in the number of people diagnosed with leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) has stalled, there is new momentum toward a vision of zero leprosy. This has been facilitated by scientific advances, particularly related to post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for leprosy, and the coming together of the leprosy community in a new Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy.
Visit DownloadUpdated: 05/06/2018
GPZL Reports on Research Priorities
Published: 7 November, 2019Reports on GPZL’s research priorities submitted to Leprosy Review, published in the September 2019 issue.
DownloadLetter: Update on the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy (GPZL)
Published: 7 November, 2019Letter to the Editor submitted to Leprosy Review, published in the September 2019 issue. This letter details the progress of the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy and lays out the Partnership’s goals for the future.
DownloadQuestionnaire from UN Special Rapporteur for the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members
Published: 2 December, 2020The Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by Hansen’s disease and their family members, Alice Cruz, is preparing a report due to be presented at the 47th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2021. This report addresses the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on persons affected by Hansen’s disease and their family members and examines its root causes, consequences, and the way to recovery. To contribute, please complete the questionnaire available at the links below. The survey is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. Feel free to answer both questions or just some of them, or send information on topics other than those mentioned. We request that the questionnaire be sent to the e-mail srleprosy@ohchr.org no later than 31 December, 2020.
ENG ESP FR PORThe COVID-19 Crisis and Persons Affected by Leprosy Fact Sheet
Published: 22 September, 2020Persons affected by leprosy have been especially impacted by the worst consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments, NGOs, civil society organizations, and organizations of persons affected by leprosy have enacted policies and programmes intended to support persons affected during this crisis, although there are still gaps. The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy’s COVID-19 Emergency Advocacy Working Group and UN Special Rapporteur Alice Cruz gathered data from 100+ persons affected and partners, representing 24 countries, on available programmes and resources offering support to persons affected during this time. This fact sheet highlights some of the measures taken by governments and NGOs in the represented countries, and underscores the need for increased support.
DownloadUpdated: 11/06/2020
ILEP Technical Commission 2020 Nomination Form
Published: 31 July, 2020The ILEP Technical Commission and the ILEP Advisory Panel, which consists of women and men affected by leprosy, both come up for re-appointment in October.
The appointments will be made by the ILEP Members’ Assembly, and we are now inviting nominations. Find the terms of reference and nomination form here. Nominations are due by 21 September.
DownloadThe Star January – June 2020
Published: 30 July, 2020Read the January – June 2020 issue of The Star, radiating the light of truth on Hansen’s disease. The purpose of The Star is to: 1) Promote an educated public opinion of Hansen’s disease, 2) Serve as an advocate for those who have experienced or been impacted by Hansen’s disease, and 3) Foster self-empowerment of those who have experienced Hansen’s disease.
Reprinted with permission from The Star, Carville, Louisiana.
DownloadPersons Affected & COVID-19 Report
Published: 11 June, 2020Emergency Response Working Group 2: Emergency Advocacy for Persons Affected, has conducted consultative calls with individual persons affected and persons affected organizations to gather information about the challenges persons affected are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. This report details these challenges and concerns, covering access to health care, access to fundamental goods, access to government support, access to stable livelihoods, access to information about COVID-19, and the impact of intersecting vulnerabilities on the resiliency of persons affected.
In addition to the report, this document includes recommendations of specific actions NGO and government leaders can take to address the needs and challenges of persons affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final section of the report is an open letter on COVID-19 and leprosy addressed to UN Member States from UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, Alice Cruz.
ENG ESP FR PORUpdated: 11/06/2020
Lettera aperta al Ministro degli Affari Esteri Luigi Di Maio, redatta da una rete informale e globale di persone affette dalla lebbra
Published: 4 June, 2020Lettera aperta al Ministro degli Affari Esteri Luigi Di Maio, redatta da una rete informale e globale di persone affette dalla lebbra.
DownloadUpdated: 04/06/2020
Open letter to Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, organized by a global network of people affected by leprosy
Published: 4 June, 2020Open letter to Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, written by an informal, global network of people affected by leprosy, in response to his recent public comments.
DownloadUpdated: 04/06/2020
Open letter from UN Special Rapporteur on COVID-19 and leprosy
Published: 2 June, 2020An open letter on COVID-19 and leprosy to the UN Member States from UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members, Alice Cruz. This letter details the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons affected by Hansen’s disease and their family members, and provides governments with recommendations to mitigate its impact in the medium and long term.
Visit DownloadUpdated: 10/04/2020
Advice about leprosy and COVID-19
Published: 10 April, 2020Advice about leprosy and COVID-19 from the WHO Global Leprosy Programme, ILEP, UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members Alice Cruz, and GPZL. Includes guidance on diagnosis and clinical management of leprosy patients, public health aspects of leprosy in the COVID-19 pandemic, and services for persons living with disabilities and/or psychosocial consequences of leprosy.
ENG FRUpdated: 10/04/2020
The Star Jul-Dec 2019
Published: 18 November, 2019Read the July-December 2019 issue of The Star, radiating the light of truth on Hansen’s disease. The purpose of The Star is to: 1) Promote an educated public opinion of Hansen’s disease. 2.) Serve as advocate for those who have experienced or been impacted by Hansen’s disease. 3) Foster self-empowerment of those who have experienced Hansen’s disease.
Reprinted with permission from The Star, Carville, Louisiana.
DownloadWHO Global Leprosy Update, 2018
Published: 3 September, 2019See the latest 2018 leprosy data and WHO’s strategies to reduce the disease burden in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, No. 35/36, Vol. 94 (30 August 2019).
Download
Updated: 03/09/2019
The Star Jan-June 2019
Published: 27 June, 2019Read the January-June 2019 issue of The Star, radiating the light of truth on Hansen’s disease. The purpose of The Star is to: 1) Promote an educated public opinion of Hansen’s disease. 2.) Serve as advocate for those who have experienced or been impacted by Hansen’s disease. 3) Foster self-empowerment of those who have experienced Hansen’s disease.
Reprinted with permission from The Star, Carville, Louisiana.
DownloadFactSheet: Special Rapporteur’s report to the Human Rights Council
Published: 1 April, 2019A fact sheet about Leprosy, human rights issues associated with the disease, and the role of the the Special Rapporteur from Alice Cruz.
DownloadUpdated: 01/06/2018
The Star 2018
Published: 7 January, 2019Read the 2018 issue of The Star, radiating the light of truth on Hansen’s disease. The purpose of The Star is to: 1) Promote an educated public opinion of Hansen’s disease. 2.) Serve as advocate for those who have experienced or been impacted by Hansen’s disease. 3) Foster self-empowerment of those who have experienced Hansen’s disease.
Reprinted with permission from The Star, Carville, Louisiana.
DownloadWHO Global Leprosy Update, 2017
Published: 6 September, 2018See the latest 2017 leprosy data and WHO’s strategies to reduce the disease burden in the Weekly Epidemiological Record, No. 35, Vol. 93 (31 August 2018).
Download
Updated: 06/09/2018
WHO Guidelines for the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Leprosy
Published: 23 August, 2018These Guidelines provide state-of-the-art knowledge and evidence on leprosy diagnosis, treatment and prevention based on a public health approach in endemic countries.
DownloadUpdated: 23/08/2018
Special Rapporteur First Report
Published: 27 June, 2018First report of Ms. Alice Cruz, the UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
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Updated: 19/06/2018
Infolep
Published: 31 March, 2018Infolep is the one-stop source of information for leprosy and related issues, offering easy access to over 27,500 publications.
VisitUpdated: 31/05/2018
Meeting Notes, December 2020
Published: 14 December, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – December 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, November 2020
Published: 16 November, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – November 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes: Biannual Leadership Team Conference, October 2020
Published: 6 November, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Biannual Conference – 19 – 21 October 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes: Governance, September 2020
Published: 14 September, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting on Governance – September 2020 Teleconference
DownloadUpdated: 14/09/2020
Meeting Notes: Governance, August 2020
Published: 1 September, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting on Governance – August 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, August 2020
Published: 17 August, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – August 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, July 2020
Published: 14 July, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – July 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, June 2020
Published: 29 June, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – June 2020 Teleconference
DownloadCOVID-19 Response Meeting Notes, 21 May 2020
Published: 29 June, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team COVID-19 Response Meeting – 21 May 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, May 2020
Published: 29 June, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – May 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, April 2020
Published: 29 June, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – April 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, February 2020
Published: 29 June, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – February 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, January 2020
Published: 28 January, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – January 2020 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, December 2019
Published: 7 January, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – December 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, October 2019
Published: 7 January, 2020Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – October 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, August 2019
Published: 3 September, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – August 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, July 2019
Published: 23 July, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – July 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, June 2019
Published: 20 June, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – June 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, May 2019
Published: 13 May, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – May 2019 Teleconference
DownloadGlobal Partnership for Zero Leprosy Charter
Published: 9 April, 2019The Charter for the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy details policies and procedures for governance of the partnership.
DownloadMeeting Notes, March 2019
Published: 15 March, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – March 2019 Teleconference
DownloadA Framework for Engaged Research to Reach Zero Leprosy
Published: 12 March, 2019The Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy’s initial framework to guide the creation of a research agenda. Click below to read the framework.
DownloadUpdated: 12/03/2019
Meeting Notes, February 2019
Published: 18 February, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – February 2019 Teleconference
DownloadMeeting Notes, January 2019
Published: 14 January, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – January Teleconference
ENGOperational Excellence Inaugural Steering Team Meeting
Published: 12 January, 2019The objectives of this meeting were to familiarize the steering team members with the plans of the Operational Excellence Working Group and their individual roles in it. (Amsterdam December 2018).
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, December 2018
Published: 2 January, 2019Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – December Teleconference
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, November 2018
Published: 26 November, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – November Teleconference
ENG FR POROperational Excellence Terms of Reference
Published: 26 November, 2018The Operational Excellence Working Group will foster the use, scale-up, monitoring, and evaluation of best practices in national leprosy control programmes. Click on a button below to read the Terms of Reference.
ENG FR PORUpdated: 26/11/2018
Meeting Notes, October 2018
Published: 12 November, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Strategy meeting in Brussels 11-12 October.
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, 30 August 2018
Published: 17 September, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Teleconference
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes: Operational Excellence Working Group
Published: 5 September, 2018A coordinating committee outlined themes and criteria in a planning meeting for the Operational Excellence working group (Basel, Switzerland, August 2018).
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes: Research Agenda Working Group
Published: 4 September, 2018Facilitators and advisors met to plan next steps for the Research Agenda Working Group (Basel, Switzerland, August 2018).
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, 1 August 2018
Published: 28 August, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Teleconference
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, July 2018
Published: 8 August, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Teleconference
ENG FR PORMeeting Notes, June 2018
Published: 27 June, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Teleconference
ENG FR PORFrequently Asked Questions
Published: 28 May, 2018What is the Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy? What will the partnership do? How was the partnership formed?
ENG ESP FR PORUpdated: 20/04/2018
Research Agenda Terms of Reference
Published: 26 May, 2018The Leprosy Research Agenda Working Group will develop an aligned research agenda for current and potential future innovations in diagnostics, strategies, and interventions to contribute to zero leprosy.
ENG ESP FR PORUpdated: 09/05/2018
Meeting Notes, March 2018
Published: 16 May, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Inaugural Meeting at Lepra in Colchester, UK.
ENG ESP FR PORUpdated: 22/03/2018
Meeting Notes, April 2018
Published: 10 May, 2018Global Partnership for Zero Leprosy Leadership Team Meeting – Teleconference.
ENG ESP FR POR