The number of leprosy cases in Florida has sharply rise this year . Yes , leprosy is still around , but what ’s causing this spike ? Armadillos apparently . Health official are now tell residents to avoid Armadillos for their own safety .
Leprosy – also known as Hansen ’s disease – is an infectious disease that causes skin sores and face damage . These symptoms worsen over time , but Hansen’s disease is now easy treatable with antibiotic drug and citizenry are no longer shunned toleper coloniesfor contracting the centuries - erstwhile disease . Leprosy is now incredibly rarefied as around 95 % of people are resistant to the bacteria , Mycobacterium leprae , that causes leprosy . In 2010 , the most late class that data is available , there were294 newfangled casesreported in the U.S.
Florida typically has ten cases of Hansen’s disease a year , but wellness functionary have already report nine incidence so far in 2015 . The disease is not very contagious , but can be spread from individual to person when an septic person cough or sneezes . Leprosy has a foresightful brooding period ; it ordinarily takes 2–10 years before symptoms appear . Leprosy can alsonaturally taint armadillo , so there ’s a modest risk that you may get the disease from an armadillo .
Dr. Sunil Joshi , president of the Duval County Medical Society in Florida , link the unusually ontogeny in Hansen’s disease shell to property development in Florida . He toldCNNthat “ There is a clean cause why this is happening in Florida . ”
“ New home are being develop , and we are shoot down down armadillos ' dwelling in the process . Now these creatures are coming out in the daylight , and the people who are getting exposed are those working outside . ”
Joshi toldUSA Todaythat all nine leprosy casing reported this year have involved multitude who have come into close inter-group communication with armadillo . wellness officials warn that although most people who follow into contact with armadillo are unlikely to get Leprosy , it ’s best to avoid contact lens and take precaution with the wild brute to reduce the risk of disease .
