Although Karnataka is considered a low leprosy endemic State, the prevalence rate in five districts — Koppal, Bidar, Uttara Kannada, Ballari, and Gadag — continues to be higher than the national average of 0.41%. Overall, the prevalence rate in the State for 2021–2022 (till January) has stood at 0.21%
While the number of new cases detected every year has come down considerably in the last 10 years, the percentage of multibacillary (infectious) leprosy cases among the new cases detected every year is on the rise. While 71% of the total 2,724 cases detected in 2019–2020 were multibacillary cases; the percentage rose to 77.7% and 80% in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 (till January), respectively. Multibacillary leprosy is a more severe form of the disease.
Likewise, the rate of deformity has also been on the rise. While it was 2.5% in 2019–2020; the rate of deformity rose to 2.6% and 2.89% in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 (till January), respectively.
