Buruli ulcer

Buruli ulcer has been reported in 33 countries since 2002, mainly in those with tropical and subtropical climates. In 2023, 1952 suspected cases of Buruli ulcer were reported from 12 countries, with 1573 cases from the African Region and 379 from the Western Pacific Region. Efforts to control the disease have been focused in these two WHO regions in the past decade. The data reported to WHO are limited for three reasons: (i) within endemic countries where cases are being reported regularly, control activities are limited in geographical scope and the data may not reflect the burden at the national level; (ii) there are large areas where limited or no activities are being carried out and the extent of the disease is relatively unknown; (iii) limited knowledge of the disease, its focal distribution and the fact that it affects mainly poor rural communities.