Leprosy bacteria.Photo:Getty
Getty
Florida has seen an uptick in leprosy cases, an indication that the disease is becoming endemic, or regularly occurring within the community,
According to theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida accounted for nearly one-fifth of reported leprosy cases in the U.S., and that Central Florida had 81% of the cases in the state.
Leprosy, also known asHansen’s Disease,has been historically uncommon in the U.S., the CDC said. Despite a peak in 1983, the number of cases decreased from the 1980s to the 2000s, but has since increased. Particularly in the southeastern states, reported cases of leprosy have risen two-fold in the last decade.
The disease is now curable if caught and treated early with antibitoics.
“Whereas leprosy in the United States previously affected persons who had immigrated from leprosy-endemic areas,” said the CDC, “[approximately] 34% of new case-patients during 2015–2020 appeared to have locally acquired the disease. Several cases in central Florida demonstrate no clear evidence of zoonotic exposure or traditionally known risk factors.”
As an example, the CDCcited a 54-year-old Central Florida manwho went to a dermatology clinic for treatment due to “a painful and progressive erythematous rash.” He said that he had not traveled domestically or abroad, had no contact witharmadillos(which the CDC said are naturally infected with the bacteria that causes Hansen’s) or immigrants from leprosy-endemic countries, and no connection with someone carrying the disease. Further examination revealed the man had a case of leprosy.
“The absence of traditional risk factors in many recent cases of leprosy in Florida, coupled with the high proportion of residents, like our patient, who spend a great deal of time outdoors, supports the investigation into environmental reservoirs as a potential source of transmission…In summary, our case adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that central Florida represents an endemic location for leprosy.”
There were 159 new cases of leprosy reported in the U.S. in 2020, accordion to theNational Hansen’s Disease Program. About 69 percent of those new cases occurred in Florida, California, Louisiana, Hawaii, New York And Texas.
Florida’s first case of leprosy was reported in 1921, per theFlorida Department of Health.
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source: people.com
