A 4,000-year-old disease is on the rise in this state thanks to armadillos

Key Points:

• Leprosy, or Hansen's disease, is seeing a resurgence in Florida, with 17 cases reported in 2025 by mid-July, contributing to 36 of the 174 U.S. cases this year, many of which were locally contracted rather than imported.
• Central Florida, especially Brevard County, is a hotspot for the disease, accounting for 81% of Florida's cases and nearly 20% of national cases, suggesting the disease may now be endemic in parts of the U.S.
• The disease is caused by the bacteria M. leprae and is treatable with antibiotics; symptoms can take up to 20 years to develop and include skin discoloration, nerve damage, and in severe cases, paralysis and deformities.
• Scientists believe armadillos, which naturally carry M. leprae, are a likely source of local transmission in Southern states, with climate change possibly expanding armadillo habitats and increasing human exposure.
• Despite its historical stigma, leprosy is not highly contagious and requires prolonged close contact with untreated individuals to spread; the public is advised to avoid direct contact with armadillos and use gloves when gardening to reduce risk.