A study conducted by the Center for Disease Control calls Central Florida an “endemic” location for leprosy.
According to a case report by the CDC for Aug. 2023, Central Florida, in particular, accounted for 81% of cases reported in Florida and almost one fifth of nationally reported cases.
A 54-year-old man from Central Florida showed signs of the disease recently.
Dr. Giorgio Tarchini, an infectious disease specialist and Chief Medical Officer at HCA Florida Northwest in Margate, reviewed pictures of the patient provided by the CDC with Local 10′s Hatzel Vela.
“It’s important to know it’s a very rare disease and it’s also very difficult to get it,” said Tarchini.
According to the CDC study, scientists believe transmission cases may be linked to bacteria in the soil. The cause of some cases has also been linked to armadillos and person-to-person contact through respiratory droplets.
Leprosy, or Hansen disease, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the acid-fast rod Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system and causes nerves to become swollen, causing numbness and also causing skin discoloration.
According to the CDC, in 2020, 159 new cases of leprosy were reported in the United States. This year, the state’s health department has reported 16 cases in Florida. With four cases in Brevard County, Three in Volusia County and zero in Miami-Dade and Broward County.
In 2022, the state reported eight cases.
Doctors believe it is highly unlikely to become infected.
“Actually, 95 percent of people in general have naturally immunity, so even if they’re exposed, they’re not going to get infected,” said Tarchini.
According to the Florida Department of Health, doctors are required to report leprosy in Florida by the next business day.
For more information about the study, click on this link.