Leprosy could be endemic in Florida, researchers warn

ORLANDO, Fla. (FLV) – A research letter published to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggested that leprosy may be endemic in Central Florida.

Leprosy is disease that attacks the skin and nervous systems and is more common in tropical and subtropical climates.

Researchers reported that Central Florida composed 81% of Florida cases and nearly one-fifth of national cases.

They also reported that an increasing amount of cases are arising from the local area, which they argued means the disease could now be endemic in Florida.

“Travel to Florida should be considered when conducting leprosy contact tracing in any state,” they said.

Researchers said contact tracing found that there were no associated risk factors in the recently examined case, such as travel, exposure to relevant animals, occupation or other personal contacts.

“Our case adds to the growing body of literature suggesting that central Florida represents an endemic location for leprosy,” they wrote. “Travel to this area, even in the absence of other risk factors, should prompt consideration of leprosy in the appropriate clinical context.”

“By increasing local physician efforts to report incidence and supporting further research to assess routes of transmission, a congruent effort can be made to identify and reduce spread of the disease.”

The Florida Department of Health said that the first case of leprosy was reported in 1921.

Florida’s Voice reached out to the Florida Department of Health for comment on the research letter and will include their response if one is provided.