All articles tagged with #hansens disease
Florida health data show Hansen’s disease (leprosy) reached a record in 2025 with 36 cases, plus 17 more reported so far in 2026. CBS12’s report includes a county-by-county breakdown of where infections were reported, listing Brevard, Charlotte, Duval, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Okeechobee, Orange, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Volusia, and others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Central Florida reports a small uptick in leprosy cases in 2026, with 17 cases statewide and one case in Brevard, Lake, Orange, Seminole, and Sumter counties and two in Volusia; transmission is mainly via prolonged respiratory exposure, casual contact is unlikely, and armadillos can be a reservoir; the disease is curable with modern medications.
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.
Florida’s Hansen’s disease cases rose to 17 as of July 11, 2026, concentrated in Central Florida along the I-4 corridor where armadillos—known carriers—are suspected sources; the disease remains rare and curable with antibiotics when diagnosed early, symptoms may take years to appear, and most cases are acquired abroad or via environmental exposure rather than casual contact.
The CDC has reported an increase in leprosy cases in the U.S., particularly in Florida, Texas, New York, California, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Hawaii, with concerns that the disease may have become endemic in the southeastern U.S. Leprosy, caused by the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, can lead to skin discoloration, growths, hair loss, mucous membrane issues, and nerve damage. It's important to be aware of these symptoms and seek medical attention if necessary.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is resurfacing in the US, particularly in parts of the southeastern region such as Florida, with an urgent need for health care providers to report new cases immediately. The disease primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system, causing physical deformity and desensitizing one's ability to feel pain on affected skin. While leprosy is preventable and treatable, efforts to control and eradicate it worldwide need to be enhanced, with the World Health Organization launching a plan in 2021 for achieving zero leprosy.
A physician specializing in treating leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, addresses recent concerns about leprosy becoming endemic in Florida. While leprosy cases are rare in the state, it causes significant morbidity globally and is the leading cause of infectious disability. The disease is primarily transmitted through prolonged household contact and rarely through zoonotic exposure, such as with armadillos. Most people are immune to leprosy, and it is highly treatable with antibiotics. The recent attention on leprosy highlights the need for education to identify early symptoms and reduce stigma associated with the disease. Increased funding and research are necessary to improve patient lives and minimize disability.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is becoming endemic in Central Florida, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Central Florida accounted for 81% of cases reported in Florida and nearly one-fifth of cases reported across the U.S. The number of reported cases has more than doubled in the southeastern states over the last decade. Leprosy is a bacterial disease that affects the skin and nerves, causing loss of sensation and potential disfigurement. It is typically spread through extended close contact with an untreated infected person. Leprosy can be treated with a combination of antibiotics, but early diagnosis is crucial.
A new report highlights six cases of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, among California residents between 2017 and 2022. All patients were U.S.-born, and it is unclear how they contracted the disease. Leprosy remains rare in the United States, and experts emphasize that the average person should not be alarmed. The infection can be cured with antibiotics, but timely treatment is crucial to prevent complications. Leprosy mainly affects the skin and nerves, and symptoms include discolored patches of skin, lumps, painless ulcers, and muscle weakness. The disease is not easily transmitted, and the majority of people have immune system protection against it. Awareness among doctors about leprosy should be increased to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment.