As per recent reports, it has been revealed that 500 new leprosy cases have been detected in the Western Pacific, the place where the disease was said to be eradicated since 1991. This news has raised concerns among the World Health Organization, which have asked the government to take stern action.

The WHO said that they have done not much to eradicate the disease completely and result of which is in front of them. They have called for an investigation which aims to know the condition of disease across different countries as well.

WHO regional director Shin Young-soo informed that they have come to know that the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Kiribati are among 37 countries which have not taken precautionary steps to lower the leprosy cases.

The Philippines is one such country which has done every possible effort to reduce the leprosy cases and has achieved success as well, informed the WHO. Shin said that the country has become an example for others.

Philippine Health Secretary Enrique Ona said that they are quite happy to hear that the WHO has appreciated them and their efforts. However, they remain concerned about increasing leprosy cases in Western Pacific and in parts of the world. "This thing should be in the radar of every public health as well as our general practitioners", he said.

The WHO has called for a united effort and has been planning to organize a three-day meeting with all the countries which are at high risk to have leprosy. A leprosy control program is also said to be in the plan list of the WHO.

Shin told that they have sent national leprosy program mangers to Western Pacific and they hope to bring the situation under control.