Countries where cases of Buruli ulcer have been reported (in red)

Increase  in number of M. ulcerans infection has been associated with stagnant water and environmental changes such as deforestation, building dams, etc.

 

Mycobacterium ulcerans infection is an re-emerging disease. Though the disease was known for more than a century, it is only during the last few decades that a large number of cases emerged in many countries in the world.

Cases of M. ulcerans infection have been reported from countries in all the continents, though the disease most severely affects some countries of central and west Africa.

Not all infections by M. ulcerans result in a ulcer and the infection can be more or less severe. It is felt that there may be even more cases of Buruli ulcer in the world, that are not diagnosed properly.