ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics and factors and detection ways of leprosy in Zhushan county in Hubei province, so as to provide scientific basis for developing measures to treat and prevent leprosy after basic elimination. MethodsWe summarized the detection rate, incidence and prevalence of leprosy in Zhushan county in Hubei province during 1955-2012; compared the stage when detecting leprosy, deformity/disability rates and costs according to different detection ways; and conducted descriptive epidemiological analysis. ResultsLeprosy outbreak distribution in Zhushan county in Hubei province covered 17 villages/towns, of which patients were the most in 4 southeast villages/towns. Among 123 cases of patients with leprosy, the youngest aged 4, the oldest aged 74, and the patients aged 20-39 were the most (42.28%); the sex ratio were 1.73 to 1 (male to female); most patients were peasants (83.74%); the main infection sources were family members and neighbours (45.53%, respectively); economic level, health and living condition were the main factors relevant to the prevalence of leprosy; and applying tests in people with foci contact history detected the most patients with leprosy on early stage, which caused the lowest deformity/disability rates. ConclusionWe should consistently strengthen the training of medical personnel; improve medical personnel ability of detecting leprosy; take tests for people with foci contact history and tracking as active detection ways; monitoring patients' family members as well as close contacts during 10-year latent period; and conduct timely tracking, so as to in time detect, isolate, and treat patients with leprosy, reduce the incidence of deformity/disability, and control the transition of leprosy.