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A biblical disease is back with a vengeance in Florida
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- Nine-banded armadillos, common in the southern US, are linked to a rise in leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) cases, particularly in Florida, which has reported increasing infections over recent years.
- Leprosy, caused by the slow-growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, affects skin and nerves, causing symptoms like skin ulcers, numbness, and paralysis, but is rare, curable, and not easily spread between people.
- Armadillos are natural carriers of the leprosy bacteria, which can remain in soil where they live and dig, potentially infecting humans through contact with contaminated dirt.
- Florida’s warm, wet climate supports armadillo populations, with Central Florida, especially Brevard County, identified as a hotspot for leprosy cases in the US.
- To reduce risk, experts advise avoiding contact with armadillos, wearing gloves when handling soil, and being cautious around armadillo roadkill, as the bacteria may spread from deceased animals.
