Nampula, Mozambique (Mozanorte)– The province of Nampula is facing a worrying public health situation, marked by a significant increase in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), particularly lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) and the re-emergence of leprosy, a disease that had been considered eliminated in 2007.
Official data for 2025 indicate that lymphatic filariasis recorded 2,554 cases, representing a 29% increase compared to 2024. The districts of Nampula, Moma and Meconta account for the highest incidence of the disease, largely linked to poor sanitation and limited access to safe drinking water.
Intestinal parasitic infections continue to mainly affect children, with 49,039 reported cases, despite a slight reduction compared to the previous year. Schistosomiasis, on the other hand, showed a significant decline, dropping from 59,944 cases in 2024 to 38,900 in 2025, indicating some positive impact of ongoing interventions.
Scabies also recorded a reduction of about 40%, although Nampula City remains among the most affected districts.
Meanwhile, the reappearance of leprosy has raised serious concerns among health authorities. In 2025, 1,389 cases were reported, an increase of approximately 2% compared to the previous year, reversing the progress achieved after its official elimination in mid-2007.
Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday (28 January), the Head of the Public Health Department at the Provincial Health Directorate (DPS), Dr Jaime Miguel, called for the strengthening of prevention campaigns, improvements in basic sanitation, expanded access to safe drinking water, and greater multi-sectoral engagement as key measures to curb the spread of these diseases.
The press conference aimed to update the current status of NTDs in the province, as 30 January marks the International Day of Neglected Tropical Diseases, underscoring the urgency of accelerating efforts to achieve their elimination by 2030. (Mozanorte)
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