Tag

Armadillos

All articles tagged with #armadillos

health22 days ago•10 min saved

Florida reports rising Hansen’s disease cases with guidance to cut risk

Florida has seen an uptick in Hansen’s disease (leprosy) cases. While the risk to the general public is low, transmission typically requires prolonged close contact, and armadillos can carry the bacteria; people can also acquire it from contaminated soil near burrows. Those who are immunocompromised or live in areas where leprosy has been historically prevalent are at higher risk. To reduce risk, avoid contact with armadillos and with infected individuals, and seek medical testing if exposed. The disease is curable with antibiotics, though treatment can last up to two years; about 225 US cases are reported annually.

via The Independent|

#armadillos #disease #florida

public-health25 days ago•5 min saved

Two Ohio Leprosy Cases in 2026 Spotlight Rare Local Transmission

Ohio has recorded two leprosy cases in 2026 (Hamilton and Summit counties), part of six cases in the past decade; leprosy remains rare in the U.S. with about 225 cases annually and is curable with antibiotics over six months to two years. Early diagnosis and exposure screening help prevent spread. General public risk is low, though armadillo contact and soil exposure have been noted as possible local factors.

via Cincinnati Enquirer|

#armadillos #hansens-disease #leprosy

local26 days ago•42 min saved

Florida’s leprosy cases hit a statewide record, with Central Florida as a hotspot

Florida reported 36 Hansen’s disease (leprosy) cases in 2025—the most in the state’s modern records—mostly acquired in Florida, with 17 additional preliminary cases in 2026 by mid-July; Central Florida, particularly Brevard County, has historically higher counts. Leprosy is rare and not easily spread, and is curable with antibiotics, though exposure timing can be years apart; the numbers are preliminary and can change as investigations continue.

via WEAR-TV|

#armadillos #central-florida #florida

health29 days ago•16 min saved

Florida’s Leprosy Rise Linked to Armadillos Sparks Health Watch

Florida continues to report leprosy cases, with 2025 totaling 36 (27 domestic) and 2026 data showing at least 17 cases so far; evidence points to local transmission in parts of Central Florida and a possible link to the state’s native nine-banded armadillos as a bacterial reservoir. Leprosy remains rare and hard to catch, typically needing prolonged close contact, but experts warn the disease may be endemic in parts of the state and warrant ongoing monitoring.

via Gizmodo|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health29 days ago•2 min saved

Florida’s leprosy cases rise, armadillos flagged as possible carriers

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) cases are increasing in Florida, with 17 reported in 2026 as of July 23 and 36 in 2025, helping Florida account for a notable share of U.S. cases. Officials say it may reflect a low-level endemic presence rather than an outbreak. The bacterium Mycobacterium leprae is carried by nine-banded armadillos common in Florida, and transmission to humans—usually through direct contact or disturbing contaminated areas—remains rare and requires prolonged exposure. Precautions include avoiding armadillo contact and wearing protective clothing when gardening. Leprosy is curable with antibiotics.

via WYFF|

#armadillos #florida #health

health1 month ago•5 min saved

Armadillos Tied to a Resurgence of Leprosy in Florida

Leprosy (Hansen’s disease), a 4,000-year-old illness, is rising in Florida with 17 new cases this year, likely linked to armadillos that carry the bacteria M. leprae; Florida accounts for a large share of recent U.S. cases, particularly in Central Florida, though the disease remains rare, treatable, and the public risk is low. Experts note environmental exposure and armadillo contact as possible drivers, and advise avoiding handling armadillos and wearing gloves when gardening to minimize soil exposure.

via usatoday.com|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health1 month ago•51 min saved

Armadillos and an ancient disease: a Florida leprosy uptick

Florida is seeing more leprosy (Hansen's disease) cases, with 17 infections in the state so far this year and 36 statewide in 2025 (27 locally contracted). Nine-banded armadillos are known carriers of the bacteria causing leprosy, and environmental exposure or climate-driven armadillo habitat expansion could be contributing to locally acquired cases in the U.S. South. Leprosy remains rare and is curable with antibiotics, and overall public risk is low, but health officials are monitoring the animal reservoir and transmission routes.

via Yahoo|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Armadillos Linked to Florida's Leprosy Surge

Armadillos, common in the southern US, are linked to a rise in Hansen's disease (leprosy) cases in Florida, which has reported 17 cases this year so far; the disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, grows slowly, and symptoms can take decades to appear, but it is curable with antibiotics and is not highly contagious unless there is prolonged exposure. Florida remains a hotspot with higher counts in recent years (e.g., 8 in 2022, 23 in 2023, 20 in 2024, 26 in 2025 across the state, and many cases concentrated in central Florida, including Brevard County). Experts advise avoiding contact with armadillos and wearing gloves when working in soil or handling dirt, as bacteria can persist in the environment and may spread via soil or roadkill routes.

via New York Post|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Armadillos May Explain Florida’s Leprosy Uptick

Florida’s leprosy cases rose in 2025 (36 total, 27 locally acquired) and continued into 2026 (17 cases by mid‑July); infections cluster in Central Florida, notably along the I‑4 corridor, with armadillos known to carry Mycobacterium leprae. While zoonotic transmission occurs, the overall risk to the public remains very low. Leprosy is curable with standard multidrug therapy. Public guidance emphasizes avoiding handling armadillos and informing providers of armadillo exposure if persistent skin lesions or numbness develop.

via WKMG|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Armadillos Linked to Florida Leprosy Surge, Public Urged to Take Precautions

Florida saw an uptick in Hansen’s disease (leprosy) with 36 confirmed cases in 2025 and ongoing cases in 2026, concentrated in Central Florida and along the Interstate 4 corridor. Armadillos are known carriers of Mycobacterium leprae, and locally acquired infections have been documented, though the overall risk to the public remains low. Health officials urge clinicians to be aware of the disease’s long incubation and potential misdiagnosis, advise avoiding handling armadillos or skinning them, and recommend gloves and skin washing if exposure occurs. Leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy and early treatment prevents nerve damage.

via News4JAX|

#armadillos #florida #hansens-disease

health2 years ago•7 min saved

"Florida Warns: Armadillos Linked to Rising Leprosy Cases"

Scientists are investigating why Central Florida has become a hotspot for leprosy, with armadillos suspected of playing a role in spreading the disease. Despite leprosy being rare and not highly contagious, Florida has seen an increase in cases, particularly in Brevard County. Researchers are examining armadillos and environmental factors to understand the transmission and reduce infection risks.

via The Atlanta Journal Constitution|

#armadillos #disease-transmission #florida

health2 years ago•3 min saved

"Top 5 Tips for Managing Leprosy Risk in Florida"

Florida has seen a rise in leprosy cases, particularly in Brevard County, with armadillos suspected of spreading the disease. Experts advise avoiding contact with armadillos and their burrows, wearing gloves when handling soil, and not consuming armadillo meat. Despite the increase, leprosy remains rare, and most people have a natural resistance to it.

via Tampa Bay Times|

#armadillos #disease-prevention #florida

health2 years ago•8 min saved

"Central Florida's Unusual Surge in Leprosy Cases"

Scientists are investigating why Central Florida, particularly Brevard County, has seen a rise in leprosy cases, with armadillos suspected as a key factor in spreading the disease. Despite leprosy being rare and not highly contagious, the region has reported a significant number of cases, some of which were acquired locally. Researchers are exploring various transmission methods, including soil contamination and insect vectors, to better understand and mitigate the risk.

via Tampa Bay Times|

#armadillos #central-florida #disease-transmission

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Surge in Leprosy Cases Linked to Armadillos in the US

Leprosy cases are on the rise in the United States, particularly in Florida, with the number of infections more than doubling over the past decade. The disease is often associated with contact with armadillos, and Florida reported 81 percent of its cases in central Florida. The increase in cases is concerning to disease specialists, and studies are underway to determine how infections are being transmitted. Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, and is treatable with multidrug therapy. Deaths from the disease are uncommon, but complications can occur if left untreated.

via Newsweek|

#armadillos #disease #florida

biology2 years ago•7 min saved

"Pink Fairies: Uncovering the Unique Double Skin of the World's Smallest Armadillo"

Pink fairy armadillos, the world's smallest armadillos, have a unique double layer of skin, making them well-adapted for burrowing underground while maintaining flexibility. They are rarely seen in the wild due to their subterranean lifestyle, and their delicate nature presents challenges for studying and caring for them. With their pink coloration, fine white fur, and extraordinary sense of smell, pink fairy armadillos remain a mystery to science and are considered a unique and special species.

via IFLScience|

#armadillos #biology #mammals