Leprosy Cases Rise in Florida, Linked to Armadillo Exposure
Florida reported 36 leprosy cases in 2025, including 27 locally acquired infections, prompting health officials to investigate the role of armadillos in the disease's resurgence.
Florida health officials have recorded 36 leprosy cases in 2025, with 27 believed to be contracted within the state, according to state data. The numbers represent a notable share of the 174 cases reported nationwide this year.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that leprosy, or Hansen's disease, remains rare in the United States, affecting up to 225 people annually, but Southern states have documented infections not linked to international travel that are "likely contracted from armadillos."
A 2023 study published in the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal found that Central Florida accounts for 81% of the state's cases and nearly 20% of national reports, suggesting a regional hotspot. Researchers also observed an increase in infections among residents without traditional risk factors, indicating possible endemic transmission.
Armadillos, particularly the nine-banded species, are known carriers of Mycobacterium leprae. Genetic analyses from 2011 and subsequent studies have linked human cases to the animal, and experts suggest that expanding armadillo habitats—potentially influenced by climate change—may be contributing to the rise.
Public health guidance advises avoiding direct contact with armadillos, including handling or consuming them, and recommends wearing gloves when gardening or digging in soil that could be contaminated.