Leprosy Cases on the Rise in the Southeastern United States
New evidence from the Center for Disease Control shows that leprosy (also known as Hansen’s disease) has become endemic in the southeastern United States, predominantly Florida.
The CDC asserts that Central Florida accounts for 81 percent of all cases in Florida, and 20 percent of all leprosy cases in the country. It has become such an issue in the Sunshine State that the CDC recently issued a travel advisory.
According to the report, the once-waning disease has made a powerful resurgence in the last 10 years.
“Leprosy has been historically uncommon in the United States; incidence peaked around 1983, and a drastic reduction in the annual number of documented cases occurred from the 1980s through 2000," the letter reads.
“However, since then, reports demonstrate a gradual increase in the incidence of leprosy in the United States. The number of reported cases has more than doubled in the southeastern states over the last decade.”
The change, officials say, seems to be stemming from localized infections. “Whereas leprosy in the United States previously affected persons who had immigrated from leprosy-endemic areas, [about] 34 [percent] of new case patients during 2015–20 appeared to have locally acquired the disease,” the CDC reported.
Leprosy occurs when the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae attacks the body’s nerves, which then become swollen.
"This can cause the affected areas to lose the ability to sense touch and pain, which can lead to injuries, like cuts and burns. Usually, the affected skin changes color," according to the CDC.
It can be spread through extended contact with an infected person who hasn’t been treated. You cannot catch leprosy from casual contact, such as hugging, shaking hands, or sitting next to someone for a meal.
Leprosy is “completely treatable” with a combination of antibiotics. The process typically takes between one and two years to fully eradicate the disease. Officials recommend that after successful treatment, those infected should be seen by a physician once a year for the next 5 years.
If the disease is greatly advanced, or left untreated, there is a chance that it can lead to permanent disfigurement and paralysis, blindness, or the loss of toes and fingers.
