Leprosy On The Rise In Across The U.S. But Especially In Florida

OneEyedDiva

OneEyedDiva

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"A recent research letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is raising eyebrows amongst medical professionals and the general public. While the U.S. still has very few cases of leprosy, a team of doctors have identified an uptick in cases across the country, and 80% of them are coming from the state of Florida alone. Stranger still, 20% of all cases were identified in one single region of the Sunshine State, Central Florida."
More information about leprosy via an interview with the doctors who wrote the letter here:
https://www.npr.org/2023/08/06/1192388382/whats-behind-the-increase-in-leprosy-cases-in-florida
 

CallMeKate said:
Yes, my daughter mentioned this... and we're planning to head that way later this year. I'll have to see if there are any precautions that are needed for travelers.
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Absolutely Kate. My friend lives in southern Florida and she already knew that the cases were concentrated in central Florida so she didn't freak out like I thought she would. I'm sure there are sources online that you can check (WebMD, The Mayo Clinic, CDC). I read that it's actually hard to catch but it's best to be informed and cautious like you will be.
 

Thanks @OneEyedDiva that is interesting. Another disease I assumed extinct... but was wrong. Let's hope this can be controlled quickly.

Something in the article I found particularly interesting:

"One of the main theories out there is that it's transmitted to people from animals. And the most common vector or animal that we know that carries this bacteria is the nine-banded armadillo."

And that Florida is getting the brunt of this. Armadillos are relatively new to Florida, growing up I saw lots of them in Louisiana, but never in Florida. I wonder if some combination of the armadillo introduction and rapid development growth into formerly wild parts of Florida are behind this.
CallMeKate said:
Yes, my daughter mentioned this... and we're planning to head that way later this year. I'll have to see if there are any precautions that are needed for travelers.
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Don't bring home any pet armadillos...

Baby armadillos are pretty cute, I had a number as pets when I was a kid, probably contributed to their movement from Louisiana to Florida, I brought a few home... At that time they were pretty exotic in Florida. Actually I suspect the armadillo population increase is due to the reduction in predators, coyotes, wolves, and bigger cats, not to the one or two I transplanted.

Armadillo road kill make good crawfish bait. Don't suppose I'll be doing that again...
 
Alligatorob said:
Thanks @OneEyedDiva that is interesting. Another disease I assumed extinct... but was wrong. Let's hope this can be controlled quickly.

Something in the article I found particularly interesting:

"One of the main theories out there is that it's transmitted to people from animals. And the most common vector or animal that we know that carries this bacteria is the nine-banded armadillo."

And that Florida is getting the brunt of this. Armadillos are relatively new to Florida, growing up I saw lots of them in Louisiana, but never in Florida. I wonder if some combination of the armadillo introduction and rapid development growth into formerly wild parts of Florida are behind this.

Don't bring home any pet armadillos...

Baby armadillos are pretty cute, I had a number as pets when I was a kid, probably contributed to their movement from Louisiana to Florida, I brought a few home... At that time they were pretty exotic in Florida. Actually I suspect the armadillo population increase is due to the reduction in predators, coyotes, wolves, and bigger cats, not to the one or two I transplanted.

Armadillo road kill make good crawfish bait. Don't suppose I'll be doing that again...
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That is pretty interesting Rob, including that you had pet armadillos and may have contributed to making Florida their new habitat !
 
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Leprosy, otherwise known as Hansen's disease, is treatable today.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an infectious condition that’s been around since ancient times. It still exists today, but it can be cured when detected and treated early. Leprosy treatment involves multidrug therapy with antibiotics.
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The key words are "detected and treated early".

Hansen's disease is not highly contageous.

How do people get Hansen’s disease?​

It is not known exactly how Hansen’s disease spreads between people. Scientists currently think it may happen when a person with Hansen’s disease coughs or sneezes, and a healthy person breathes in the droplets containing the bacteria. Prolonged, close contact with someone with untreated leprosy over many months is needed to catch the disease.
You cannot get leprosy from a casual contact with a person who has Hansen’s disease like:
  • Shaking hands or hugging
  • Sitting next to each other on the bus
  • Sitting together at a meal
Hansen’s disease is also not passed on from a mother to her unborn baby during pregnancy and it is also not spread through sexual contact.

Due to the slow-growing nature of the bacteria and the long time it takes to develop signs of the disease, it is often very difficult to find the source of infection.

In the southern United States, some armadillos are naturally infected with the bacteria that cause Hansen’s disease in people and it may be possible that they can spread it to people. However, the risk is very low and most people who come into contact with armadillos are unlikely to get Hansen’s disease.

For general health reasons, avoid contact with armadillos whenever possible. If you had a contact with an armadillo and are worried about getting Hansen’s disease, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will follow up with you over time and perform periodic skin examinations to see if you develop the disease. In the unlikely event that you have Hansen’s disease, your doctor can help you get treatment.
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Leprosy On The Rise In Across The U.S. But Especially In Florida. Is it because of hot weather and humid environment?​

 
I believe the plaque still exists. I've heard it's in the Sierra Nevada mountain range area.

I know they did find a cure for leprosy. I did read recently it needs to be caught early? My main knowledge of the disease is old movies about the bible.
 
Did anyone read "Miracle at Carville" by Betty Martin? It was a very popular book when I was a kid about a modern American girl who comes down with Hansen's Disease? I remember really liking that book.
 
When the southern border is wide open and anyone can just walk in un-vetted, they can be bringing in their diseases with them including only God knows how many terrorists. It's time to open up Ellis Island or at least adopt their procedures.
 
Myrtle said:
Apparently it's hard to catch and easy to treat, so that's good.

The only armadillos I've ever seen (outside a zoo) were smashed on the road. I guess I've spent too much time in Texas.
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We have one or two that live under our gazebo. Grandkids learned from me they loved bananas, but like I told Emily, "you have to peel it, dear." LOL.
 

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