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Leprosy

All articles tagged with #leprosy

Two New Leprosy Cases in Brevard as Florida Near National High for Hansen’s Disease
health23 days ago

Two New Leprosy Cases in Brevard as Florida Near National High for Hansen’s Disease

Two additional Hansen’s disease cases were confirmed in Brevard County, bringing the county’s total for the year to three and Florida’s statewide total to 19. Florida remains a focal point for leprosy in the U.S., with cases arising in multiple counties and some infections acquired outside Florida or the U.S. Officials note that the disease is rare and not easily spread, often difficult to diagnose, and treatable with antibiotics over one to two years; some details about the latest cases and their sources have not been released, and armadillos are discussed as a possible link in transmission.

via Florida Today|
#brevard-county#florida#hansens-disease
Two Ohio Leprosy Cases in 2026 Spotlight Rare Local Transmission
public-health25 days ago

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
Florida’s leprosy cases hit a statewide record, with Central Florida as a hotspot
local26 days ago

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
Florida hits a new peak in Hansen’s disease cases; county reports map the spread
healthlocal26 days ago

Florida hits a new peak in Hansen’s disease cases; county reports map the spread

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.

via WPEC|
#counties#florida#hansens-disease
Florida’s Leprosy Rise Linked to Armadillos Sparks Health Watch
health29 days ago

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
Florida’s leprosy cases rise, armadillos flagged as possible carriers
health29 days ago

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
Armadillos Tied to a Resurgence of Leprosy in Florida
health1 month ago

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
Armadillos and an ancient disease: a Florida leprosy uptick
health1 month ago

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
Armadillos Linked to Florida's Leprosy Surge
health1 month ago

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
Armadillos May Explain Florida’s Leprosy Uptick
health1 month ago

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
Armadillos Linked to Florida Leprosy Surge, Public Urged to Take Precautions
health1 month ago

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
I-4 Corridor Armadillos Tied to Florida Leprosy Surge
health1 month ago

I-4 Corridor Armadillos Tied to Florida Leprosy Surge

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.

via Florida Today|
#armadillo#florida#hansens-disease
Chile Secures WHO Verification for Leprosy Elimination, First in the Americas
health5 months ago

Chile Secures WHO Verification for Leprosy Elimination, First in the Americas

Chile becomes the first country in the Americas and the second globally to be verified by WHO/PAHO as having eliminated leprosy, a milestone achieved after decades of surveillance, prevention, early diagnosis, and universal access to care within a strong, inclusive health system that maintains vigilance against any future cases.

via World Health Organization (WHO)|
#chile#elimination#health