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Florida leprosy cases reached a record. See where cases are being reported
WPEC • • health
Key Points:
- Florida reported 36 cases of Hansen’s disease (leprosy) in 2025, the highest annual total in the state's modern disease database, surpassing the previous peak of 29 cases in 2015.
- Most cases in 2025 were believed to be acquired within Florida, with infections concentrated in Central Florida counties such as Brevard, which has consistently reported higher numbers.
- Hansen’s disease remains rare in South Florida counties like Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast, with only occasional cases reported over the past decade.
- The disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, spreads slowly and requires prolonged close contact for transmission; it is curable with antibiotics, though delayed treatment can cause permanent nerve damage.
- Florida health officials caution that the rising case numbers do not necessarily indicate an outbreak or common source, and the data reflect where patients reside rather than where they were exposed or infected.
