Leprosy cases rise in Florida, officials cite armadillos as possible source

The Florida Department of Health said 17 cases of leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, have been confirmed in the state so far in 2026, an increase from 20 cases in 2024 and 36 in 2025. The state accounted for more than 20% of the 174 cases reported nationwide in 2025. Dr. Naushad Amin, chief medical officer at Health First in Palm Bay, said the disease appears to be endemic rather than experiencing an outbreak.

Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. While most U.S. cases are acquired abroad, a subset of infections in the southern United States have been linked to nine-banded armadillos, which can harbor the bacterium. A 2015 study found that 15-20% of armadillos in some areas carried M. leprae. The animals’ low body temperature creates an environment where the bacteria can survive, and transmission to humans may occur through direct contact or disturbance of contaminated soil.

Health officials advise people who garden or work in areas where armadillos are active to wear gloves and long sleeves and to avoid close contact with the animals. "It is completely curable with the modern medication that we have," Dr. Amin said, adding that leprosy spreads mainly through prolonged respiratory exposure, not casual contact. "So, say if somebody is infected, just by sitting with them, shaking their hands, sharing meals does not confer transmission of the infection. It is prolonged, household, for many months to years."