Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of new leprosy in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (Xinjiang) 2001 to 2020, and provide evidence for the development of leprosy prevention and control measures.

Methods The data of newly discovered leprosy cases in Xinjiang from 2001 to 2020 were collected from National Leprosy Prevention and Control Management System, and the epidemiological characteristics of the new leprosy cases were analyzed by descriptive epidemiological method. A piecewise linear description of long-term trend was performed using the Joinpoint regression model.

Results From 2001 to 2020, a total of 171 leprosy cases were found in Xinjiang, including 168 new cases and 3 recurrent cases, with an average annual reported incidence rate of 0.04/100 000 and an average annual prevalence rate of 0.11/100 000. Both the incidence rate and prevalence rate showed decline trends and remained at low levels. The highest case count was reported in Moyu, Wensu, Yecheng counties, followed by Zepu and Cele counties, and the above counties were all in southern Xinjiang. The male to female ratio of new cases was 1.58∶1, and the average age of onset was (37.65±16.34) years. The cases were mainly middle aged people and farmers. Polybacterial leprosy cases accounted for 70.83%. The ratio of polybacterial leprosy cases to paucibacillary leprosy cases was 2.43∶1. The grade 2 malformation rate was 42.26%, the average diagnosis delay was 45.16 months, and the detection ways were mainly investigation (25.60%), dermatology clinic visit (21.43%). The household infections accounted for 49.40%.

Conclusion The incidence of leprosy decreased year by year and the prevalence was low in Xinjiang from 2001 to 2020. The new cases had long diagnosis delay, high malformation rate and high infection rate in family. It is necessary to strengthen the health education about leprosy, symptom surveillance, and case detection to shorten the diagnosis delay and reduce the malformation rate.