Ohio reports two new cases of Hansen's disease amid ongoing rarity

The Ohio Department of Health said two individuals were diagnosed with leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, in 2026—one in Hamilton County and another in Summit County. The state has recorded six cases over the past decade, with previous incidents in Cuyahoga, Butler, Franklin, Hamilton and Summit counties.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 225 Americans are diagnosed with Hansen's disease each year, most linked to international travel. Local transmission can occur, sometimes associated with contact with nine-banded armadillos, which are known carriers of the bacteria.

State officials noted that leprosy remains rare in Ohio and is “almost always seen among immigrant or refugee populations.” They emphasized that roughly 95% of people are naturally immune to the bacterium, and that the disease is curable with a multi-drug antibiotic regimen lasting from six months to two years.

“Early diagnosis and treatment are the best ways to prevent the spread of leprosy,” the department said, adding that close contacts should be screened promptly and then annually for up to five years.

The agency advises that any suspected case or positive laboratory result be reported to local public health authorities. Symptoms can include skin patches, nodules, loss of sensation, and, in advanced cases, nerve damage or vision problems. However, transmission requires prolonged close contact with an untreated individual, making the overall risk to the public low.