Florida is seeing an increase in LEPROSY cases with nearly 20% of cases across the country coming from the central part of the state
- Central Florida accounts for 81% of reported cases in the state
Mounting evidence points to the possibility that leprosy has become endemic in the southeastern United States, with Florida cited among the most reported states.
Florida is seeing an increase in leprosy cases lacking traditional risk factors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said.
He noted that Central Florida accounts for 81% of reported cases in the state and nearly one-fifth of reported cases nationally.
Leprosy, scientifically known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nervous system.
The number of leprosy cases reported in southeastern states has more than doubled in the past decade, according to the CDC.
A 54-year-old man from central Florida was diagnosed with lepromatous leprosy in 2022. He sought treatment at a dermatology clinic for a painful and progressive erythematous rash. The lesions started on his distal extensor ends and progressed to involve his trunk and face
There were 159 new cases reported in the United States in 2020, the CDC said in a recently published research letter regarding emerging infectious diseases, citing data from the National Hansen’s Disease Program.
Nearly 70% of these new cases were reported in Florida, California, Louisiana, Hawaii, New York and Texas.
The CDC has recommended that travel to Florida be considered when doing leprosy contact tracing in any state.
He said several new patient cases in central Florida had shown no clear evidence of zoonotic exposure — transmission of pathogens from wild animals to humans — or traditionally known risk factors.
He added that leprosy was historically rare in the United States; with the incidence rate peaking around 1983 and a drastic reduction in the annual number of documented cases occurring from the 1980s to 2000.
However, since then, reports demonstrate a gradual increase in the incidence of leprosy in the United States.
Leprosy is a reportable disease in the State of Florida and is monitored primarily through passive surveillance.
Practitioners are required to report leprosy in the state the next business day, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Contact tracing is essential to identify sources and reduce transmission.