Leprosy Cases on the Rise in Florida, CDC Report Warns

Cases of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, are on the rise in Florida, according to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although leprosy remains rare in the United States, with 159 cases reported in 2020, the analysis shows that Central Florida has the highest concentration of cases in the state, accounting for nearly one-fifth of all reported cases in the country.

Leprosy is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system. Fortunately, the disease is curable with antibiotics. The CDC report highlights that leprosy was historically uncommon in the U.S., with the number of cases declining significantly from the 1980s to 2000. However, there has been a gradual increase in the incidence of leprosy since then.

Most of the cases reported in 2020 were from several states, including Florida, California, Louisiana, Hawaii, New York, and Texas. In recent years, some cases have been linked to travelers coming to the U.S. However, researchers have observed that around one-third of cases from 2015 to 2020 appear to have been acquired locally, suggesting that the disease is being transmitted within the U.S. through person-to-person contact or contact with animals such as armadillos.

In 2015, one Florida county experienced an increase in leprosy cases, with three people diagnosed with the disease in just five months. According to an epidemiologist from the Brevard County Department of Health, some of these infections were linked to people interacting with armadillos, which are known carriers of the disease.

It is important for healthcare authorities to closely monitor the situation and raise awareness about leprosy to ensure early detection, timely treatment, and prevention of further transmission in affected regions.

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