Profile of leprosy cases in Iraq (2019–2026)

Background Leprosy remains a chronic infectious disease that can lead to significant disabilities if not diagnosed early. In Iraq, it is considered a low-incidence, sporadic disease. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the recently revised Iraqi national surveillance plan. Methods A retrospective, descriptive case-series study, conducted using the centralised registry of the National Leprosy Control Programme at the Iraqi Communicable Disease-Control Centre. All registered cases from January 2019 to September 2026 were included. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical classification (paucibacillary vs. multibacillary), and treatment outcomes were analysed using descriptive statistics via Microsoft Excel. Ethical approval was obtained, and patient confidentiality was maintained. Results Among the 8 registered cases, 100% were clinically classified as multibacillary (MB) leprosy, with laboratory confirmation, during 2019–2026. Regarding sex, 6 (75%) were males. Among all patients, one case was less than 15 years old, while 5 (62.5%) were within 15–59 years. Geographically, the highest proportion (3, 37.5%) was in Anbar Governorate. Regarding treatment outcomes, 4 (50%) of patients achieved complete clinical cure. Conclusion Leprosy in Iraq remains rarely detected and it requires sustained integrated surveillance, active case-finding, and enhanced training for healthcare workers.