Armadillos likely behind Florida’s surge in leprosy cases. Here’s what you need to know

Key Points:

• Florida reported 36 confirmed cases of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in 2025, with 27 cases acquired within the state, and has recorded 17 cases through mid-July 2026, according to the Florida Department of Health and the National Hansen’s Disease Program.
• The increase in cases has been concentrated in Central Florida, particularly Brevard County, which accounted for more than half of the state’s confirmed cases from 2019 to 2022, with additional cases reported along the Interstate 4 corridor.
• Studies indicate a probable zoonotic transmission of leprosy from nine-banded armadillos to humans in the southern U.S., supported by genetic similarities between bacterial strains found in armadillos and patients, though this route is considered uncommon.
• Health officials stress that leprosy remains rare, with low risk to the general public, is curable with multidrug therapy, and emphasize the importance of clinician awareness to prevent misdiagnosis and delayed treatment.
• Public-health guidance advises avoiding contact with armadillos and reporting any exposure when seeking medical care for symptoms indicative of Hansen’s disease such as persistent skin lesions or numbness.