Leprosy in children in Cuba: Epidemiological and clinical description of 50 cases from 2012-2019.

Introduction: In 1993, Cuba achieved leprosy elimination according to the World Health Organization's (WHO) indicator of less than one case per 10,000 population. Despite this achievement, detection of new cases occurs every year among all age groups including children. Detection of new cases in children reveals persistent transmission of the infection.

Leprosy in children: a Cuban experience on leprosy control.

Background: Children are believed to be the most vulnerable group to leprosy. Childhood leprosy reflects disease transmission in the community as well as the efficiency of ongoing disease control programmes. In Cuba, leprosy is not a national health problem; however, new childhood leprosy cases are diagnosed every year.

[Response capacity and challenges of the Cuban health system against communicable diseasesCapacidade de resposta e desafios do sistema de saúde cubano contra doenças transmissíveis].

This article presents distinctive and essential features in the transformations of the Cuban health system that have allowed the eradication and reduction of the incidence rates of some communicable diseases at levels lower than 0.1 per 100 000 inhabitants. The results obtained are a consequence of the importance given to the prevention and control, as well as to the risks and potential damages, of these diseases.