KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia has seen a 40 percent rise in reported cases of leprosy in 2023, the Health Ministry said late on Monday.

       There were 256 cases recorded in 2023 compared to 183 cases in 2022 with the rise being attributed to more intensive detection efforts, Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said in a statement in conjunction with World Leprosy Day.

       "More intensive detection efforts are in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization to achieve the target of zero new local leprosy cases by the year 2030," he said.

       "Early detection of cases and close contacts can control leprosy from continuing to spread, while early treatment can reduce and prevent complications of disease and disability," he added.

       Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease that seriously endangers people's health, with severe cases resulting in facial malformation and hand-foot impairment.