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Leprosy isn't just in Florida
cincinnati.com • • health
Key Points:
- Ohio has reported two cases of leprosy (Hansen's disease) in 2026, with a total of six cases recorded in the state over the past decade, primarily among immigrant or refugee populations.
- Leprosy is a rare bacterial disease in the U.S., affecting about 225 Americans annually, and most people (around 95%) have natural immunity to it.
- The disease is curable with multi-drug antibiotic treatment lasting six months to two years, and early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing its spread.
- Leprosy spreads mainly through prolonged close contact with untreated infected individuals, and armadillos are a known animal reservoir that can transmit the bacteria to humans, especially in the southern U.S.
- Symptoms include discolored skin patches, nerve damage, and in severe cases, paralysis and structural damage; however, people become non-contagious shortly after starting treatment.
