Read on to set the record straight about leprosy. (Spoiler alert: there will be mention of armadillos.)
Why did leprosy make the news?
In August, one case of leprosy in central Florida was described in Tucaxen 150 mg (Tucatinib) the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases. This report was widely covered by the news media, with headlines like "CDC confirms leprosy outbreak in Florida: What to know if you're traveling to the state" (WKYC) and "Central Florida is a hot spot for leprosy, report says" (CNN).
One reason for concern raised by experts was the fact that the man diagnosed had no identifiable risk factors for the disease. That is, he had not traveled to a place where leprosy is common and had no contact with anyone who had the disease. Past research has suggested the organism that causes leprosy can survive in soil. And that raised the possibility that this man's work as a landscaper put him at risk for leprosy.
What is leprosy?
Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is a chronic infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae bacteria. (That's a close relative of the organism that causes tuberculosis.) This ancient disease, which affects skin, nerves, and linings of the eyes and upper respiratory tract, is described in some of the earliest human writings (including the Old Testament), and genetically identified in archeological remains dating back to 2000 BC.
red and/or thickened patches on the skin
reduced sensation, numbness, or weakness in the hands or feet
nonhealing wounds, blisters, and cracks in the skin of the hands or feet.
Left untreated, this may lead to skin deformities. Surgical amputations may be necessary to control skin ulcers that fail to heal or are chronically infected.
How does leprosy spread?
Usually, the infection spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets shared during prolonged, close contact. Coughing or sneezing, for example, can release respiratory droplets, which can be breathed in by people who are nearby.
Some cases of leprosy have been linked to animal contact, such as the nine-banded armadillo and Eurasian red squirrels.
However, in about a third of cases, no clear risk factor can be identified.
How common is leprosy?
For most people in the US, leprosy is not a major health concern. In recent years, about 180 cases of leprosy have been diagnosed annually. Though this represents an uptick from fewer than 100 cases in 1999 and 2000, the disease remains rare in the US.
Worldwide, it's a different story: according to the World Health Organization, more than 200,000 cases in 120 countries are diagnosed each year. The highest numbers of cases are in Brazil, India, and Indonesia.