03064nas a2200421   4500000000100000008004100001260002100042653003000063653003600093653003100129653003100160653001200191100001600203700001300219700001800232700001500250700001500265700001800280700001600298700001300314700001400327700002100341700002400362700001500386700001400401700001500415700001400430700001500444700001300459700000900472700001600481245012300497856006700620300001100687490000700698520192300705022001402628       2026                            d  c07/2026bMDPI AG10aTransmission interruption10aWorld health organization (WHO)10aNeglected tropical disease10aPublic Health Surveillance10aleprosy1 aFatunmbi BS1 aTaruc AY1 aSanikullah KH1 aGarfin AMC1 aBelimac JG1 aGatchalian AC1 aValdez MRDJ1 aBuado CA1 aTejano KP1 aVenida-Tablizo A1 aMarquez-Protacio FV1 aDofitas BL1 aCunanan A1 aSantos RAR1 aGajete FC1 aDumawat CP1 aCaccam E1 aKo E1 ade Jesus RP00aTransmission Interruption of Leprosy in the Philippines: An Update on the Current Program Priorities and Interventions  uhttps://www.mdpi.com/2414-6366/11/7/192/pdf?version=1783998387  a1 - 130 v113 a<jats:p>The Philippines achieved World Health Organization (WHO) certification for the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in 1998. Despite this milestone, new cases continue to be reported each year, highlighting the need for sustained surveillance and interventions to achieve zero transmission. This paper provides an update on the country’s progress toward interruption of leprosy transmission using national surveillance data and programmatic reports from 2020–2024. Quantitative data were obtained from the Department of Health (DOH) Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), while policy and programmatic information were drawn from national reports, WHO guidance, and implementation reviews. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine trends in prevalence, case detection rates (CDRs), and age-sex distribution patterns to identify high-risk groups. Leprosy prevalence declined from 0.41 per 10,000 population in 2020 to 0.11 in 2024, remaining below the WHO elimination threshold. The CDR increased from 0.45 in 2022 to 1.17 per 100,000 in 2024, indicating recovery of active surveillance after COVID-19-related disruptions. Most newly detected cases occurred among adults aged 20–59 years (72%), although continued detection among children aged 0–14 years (6–7%) suggests ongoing transmission in selected endemic areas. Key program strengths include policy integration and WHO-supported surveillance initiatives, while major barriers include stigma, uneven local implementation, and limited access to rehabilitation. The Philippines has maintained low national prevalence while strengthening efforts toward transmission interruption. Continued investment in surveillance, contact tracing, stigma reduction, and integrated neglected tropical disease (NTD) services will be essential to achieving zero transmission, zero disability, and zero discrimination by 2030.</jats:p>  a2414-6366