INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — While there has been one case of leprosy reported in Indian River County, which was discovered shortly after the first of the year, there have been several other cases reported around the state, the Florida Department of Health said.
State officials have noted an increase in cases and suspect contact with armadillos may be the culprit for the uptick. To date, there have been 9 cases statewide, including two in Brevard County.
On average, there are between two and 12 cases reported around the state each year, according to the health department.
There have been no reported cases in other nearby counties.
With advances in medical care and attention, leprosy cases in humans are typically treated long before there are complications, the health department said. Initial symptoms tend to manifest as a numb patch of skin.
The reason authorities suspect armadillo contact in the number of leprosy cases around the state is because armadillos are the only known wild animal that is a carrier of the bacterial disease.
“At this point, the science community does not fully understand the role of armadillos in the transmission of Hansen’s Disease (leprosy) to humans,” Mara Burger, press secretary for the health department told VeroNews.com. “There is a particular strain of Hansen’s Disease identified in people the Southeastern U.S. that has also been identified in armadillos in the same region. However, we are uncertain whether the nine cases in Florida this year, are of that particular strain.
The disease is thought to be spread through contact with the animal’s saliva and can take a number of years to present itself, according to the health department. For humans, the disease’s incubation period is anywhere from two to 10 years, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Those who come into contact with armadillos are encouraged to wear gloves and to wash their hands afterward.
Where the cases have been reported:
- Indian River – 1
- Brevard – 2
- Duval – 1
- Lake – 1
- Lee – 1
- Polk – 1
- Volusia – 2
- Total – 9