The leprosy post-exposure prophylaxis (LPEP) programme was launched in 2014. The aim was to evaluate the feasibility and efficiency of contact tracing and the provision of preventative treatment (post-exposure prophylaxis) for leprosy under routine programme conditions, and to determine the impact this has on leprosy incidence.
Eight countries
The program was carried out in eight countries: Brazil, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. The programme provided evidence that post-exposure prophylaxis with a single dose of rifampicin is safe, can be integrated into different leprosy control programmes with minimal additional efforts once contact tracing has been established, and is generally well accepted by index patients, their contacts, and health-care workers.
Principal Investigator
- Email address
- j.richardus@erasmusmc.nl