Khaberni - Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, has resurfaced in the United States amid health warnings of a potential link with armadillos transmitting the infection.
Health experts in the state of Florida have warned of an increase in leprosy cases, confirming that the nine-banded armadillo might be one of the factors associated with the transmission of the disease-causing bacteria to humans, although infection remains rare and can be treated with antibiotics.
American health authorities have recorded 17 cases of Hansen's disease in Florida since the beginning of 2026, following 26 cases during 2025, 20 cases in 2024, and 23 cases in 2023, compared to only 8 cases in 2022, indicating a gradual increase in the rate of infection over the recent years.
Central Florida areas are among the regions that have seen a significant spread of cases, with Brevard County recording more than half of the infections identified in the state during the period from 2019 to 2022.
Leprosy is known as a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium leprae and is characterized by its slow progression, as symptoms may take up to 20 years to appear in some infected individuals.
The disease affects the skin and peripheral nerves and can cause skin patches and ulcers, alongside loss of sensation and numbness in the limbs, as well as hair loss from the eyebrows and eyelashes. Advanced cases may lead to permanent nerve damage or vision loss.
Specialists have confirmed that leprosy is not easily transmitted between humans, as about 95% of people have a natural immunity to it, and transmission generally requires prolonged and sustained contact with an infected person.
Researchers have indicated that the nine-banded armadillo is among the animals that may carry the bacteria causing the disease, which is prevalent in several southern U.S. states like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana.
Scientists explained that the transmission of the infection is not only linked to direct contact with the animal but can also occur through the soil in which it lives or digs, as the disease-causing bacteria can remain in the surrounding environment for a period.
Professor Juan Manuel Campos Krauer, Assistant Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, said that areas where armadillos live, feed, and reproduce may increase the chances of humans being exposed to the bacteria.
Experts advised against touching armadillos and recommended wearing gloves when handling soil or working in gardens in areas where these animals are prevalent, stressing the importance of thoroughly cleaning vehicles in the event of a collision with a dead animal on the road.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that most leprosy cases in the United States are associated with individuals who contracted the infection while traveling to countries where the disease is more common, such as Brazil, India, and Indonesia.
Despite the recent rise in cases, doctors emphasized that Hansen's disease remains rare, as the infections in the United States usually do not exceed 250 cases annually, and treatment with antibiotics is highly effective, rendering the infected person non-contagious after treatment begins.
