South Florida’s 1st News With Andrew Colton

South Florida’s 1st News With Andrew Colton

You likely saw Andrew Colton reporting live from many of the major events that have shaped our world, including the Pentagon on 9/11, the crash of...Full Bio

 

CDC: Leprosy Cases on the Rise in Florida

Hands in a medical lab

Photo: Longhua Liao / Moment / Getty Images

First there was a spike in malaria, now Florida is experiencing an increase in leprosy cases, according to the CDC.

Central Florida accounts for 81% of cases reported in the sunshine state and almost one-fifth of nationally reported cases.

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, primarily affects the skin and nervous system. The number of leprosy cases in the southeastern states has more than doubled over the past decade, according to the CDC.

In the southern United States, some armadillos carry the bacteria that causes Hansen's disease, and it's possible that they can spread it to people. 


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