Leprosy, an uncommon disease, made a comeback in Central Florida prompting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a warning advisory for all travelers heading to the Sunshine State.
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In a recent research letter shared by the CDC, the authors state that Florida has “witnessed an increased incidence of leprosy cases lacking traditional risk factors,” with trends contributing to “rising evidence that leprosy has become endemic in the southeastern United States.”
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a rare type of bacterial infection that attacks the nerves in the body, causing swelling under the skin.
According to the National Hansen’s Disease Program, 159 new cases were reported in the United States in 2020, with Florida being one of the top reporting states.
It is worth noting that the CDC reported that the “number of international migrants in North America have increased from 27.6 million people in 1990 to 58.7 million in 2020, so a link to migration may account for the increase in incidence of leprosy in historically nonendemic areas.”
The recent CDC report described a particular leprosy case in Florida: a 54-year-old landscaper who had no known contact with infected animals or people and had not traveled to any countries where the disease is more commonly found.
There have been 15 cases of leprosy in Florida this year, the majority of which were in Brevard County, according to NBC affiliate WESH.
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