Maharashtra Declares Leprosy as a Notifiable Disease

The Maharashtra government has declared leprosy a notifiable disease on October 30, 2025, making it mandatory for all doctors and healthcare institutions to report every new case within two weeks. The move aims to curb the spread of infection and achieve a Leprosy-Free Maharashtra by 2027. Leprosy, caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, is curable through Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT). The government has emphasized early detection, removal of social stigma, and mandatory Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). As of September 2025, 7,863 new cases have been reported across the state.