Florida Man’s Unexplained Case of Leprosy Raises Concerns of Endemic Infection
A recent case of leprosy in a Florida man has raised concerns about the prevalence and transmission of the rare bacterial infection in the central part of the state. In a research letter published in the August issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, dermatologists detailed the man’s case and highlighted the lack of established risk factors for his infection. The man had not traveled abroad or had any known exposure to armadillos, which carry the bacteria that cause leprosy.
The dermatologists noted that several recent cases in Florida had similar characteristics, in that they lacked traditional risk factors but reported spending a significant amount of time outdoors. This observation has led the doctors to investigate the possibility of environmental reservoirs, particularly soil, as a potential source of transmission.
The researchers speculate that the infected soil could have been contaminated by leprosy-causing bacteria from armadillos commonly found in the area. Previous studies have found leprosy bacteria in soil samples from India, where the infection is endemic. However, the exact source of the infection in the Florida man’s case remains unknown.
The authors of the research letter urge dermatologists to consider leprosy as a possibility when patients present with symptoms, even in the absence of other risk factors. They hope that the scientific community will further investigate the potential environmental reservoirs of leprosy.
Despite the concerns raised by the researchers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clarified that there is no travel advisory for leprosy in Florida or any other state. The CDC emphasizes that leprosy is rare in the United States, with fewer than 200 cases reported nationwide most years. In 2023, there have been 16 cases reported in Florida, nine of which were locally acquired.
The CDC also reassures the public that leprosy is not highly contagious. Prolonged contact with an infected individual is necessary to contract the bacterial infection. Furthermore, the majority of people exposed to the bacterium are resistant to infection due to innate immune responses.
Leprosy develops slowly, with an incubation period of three to five years or even longer. Early symptoms include skin discoloration, nodules, and lesions. If left untreated, the infection can lead to severe complications such as facial disfigurement, chronic ulcers, blindness, paralysis, and loss of function in hands and feet. However, leprosy is treatable with antibiotics, and complete cure is possible.
As more cases of leprosy emerge in Florida, researchers and health officials will continue to monitor and study the disease to better understand its transmission and develop effective prevention strategies.