Leprosy, one of the oldest infectious diseases known to mankind, may now be endemic in Florida, according to a recent report published in the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The report reveals that from 2015 to 2020, 34% of new cases in the U.S. appear to have been acquired locally, without the traditional risk factor of international travel to areas with widespread disease.
The number of new leprosy cases has been slowly rising in the U.S. over the past 20 years, with a particular increase in the southeastern states in the past decade. In 2020, 159 cases were reported in the U.S., with 81% of these cases occurring in central Florida, according to the National Hansen's Disease Program.
Despite the increase in cases, experts emphasize that leprosy remains very rare in the United States. "Most patients with leprosy are easily treated and complications are rare," says Dr. Aaron Glatt, chief of infectious diseases at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital in Long Island, New York. He also stresses the importance of recognizing the illness and treating it as soon as possible.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic disease primarily affecting the skin and nerves. It is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae, which is the only known bacterium to infect our nerves. Dr. Jessica K. Fairley, director of Emory Hansen's Disease Program in Atlanta, Georgia, explains that most people are not susceptible to the infection, and it is generally difficult to contract even when exposed to individuals with the disease. The exact mode of transmission is still not fully understood.
The disease was renamed Hansen's disease after the Norwegian scientist Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen, who discovered the bacterium as the cause of the disease in 1873. It can take up to 20 years after infection for signs of the disease to develop, although the average time is approximately five years.
Contrary to popular belief, leprosy is not highly contagious. People cannot get leprosy from casual contact such as shaking hands, hugging, or sharing a meal. Prolonged close contact with an infected individual is usually needed for transmission to occur. The disease is transmitted through droplets from the nose and mouth.
In some parts of the South, experts believe that armadillos may spread the disease to humans who handle these animals, as armadillos are naturally infected with the bacterium that causes leprosy. However, the majority of people, approximately 95%, are naturally immune to the disease.
Common symptoms of leprosy include a rash or skin lesions that develop over time and can vary in appearance. The lesions may be flat or raised and lighter or darker than normal skin color. Numbness of the extremities can develop as the disease progresses.
The hallmark of Hansen's disease is a patch of skin that is numb, although this symptom is not always present. While it is rare for individuals to develop deformities of the hands and feet, timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent complications.
The good news is that Hansen's disease is fully curable and treatable with antibiotics. "One piece of advice is to stay away from armadillos, especially their bodily secretions," advises Dr. Fairley.
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