The word “leprosy” conjures images of biblical plagues, but the disease is still with us today. Caused by infectious bacteria, still affects about 200,000 people yearly, according to the World Health Organization.
In the Southern United States, leprosy has been present for over a century, with armadillos being the main transmission source to humans.
Recent outbreaks of leprosy in the Southeast, particularly in Florida, have not been linked to animal exposure. Two types of bacteria cause leprosy: Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis, the latter of which was identified in 2008. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a preventable condition.
The spread of this neglected tropical disease is still a major concern among vulnerable groups such as migrants and impoverished populations. It is present in over 120 countries and is becoming an increasing challenge in some regions of North America.
Leprosy is becoming more frequent in certain areas of the southeastern United States. Recently, Florida has experienced a significant increase in leprosy cases, which account for a large portion of newly diagnosed cases in the country. This rise in new cases in central Florida emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers reporting them promptly.
Contact tracing is vital for identifying infection sources and reducing transmission. Traditional risk factors are zoonotic exposure and recent residency in leprosy-endemic countries. Since 2019, Brazil, India, and Indonesia have reported over 10,000 new cases each, and over a dozen countries have reported 1,000 to 10,000 new cases.
Leprosy has existed since the second millennium B.C. Until the mid-20th century, limited treatments were available, which allowed the bacteria to cause physical deformities, including disfigured hands and feet. Advanced cases of leprosy cause facial features resembling those of a lion in humans.
Skin disorders like skin cancers and fungal infections were often mistaken as leprosy, leading to stigma and exclusion. The Kingdom of Jerusalem even had a hospital to treat leprosy patients due to fear of contagion.
Fear of contagion has led to tremendous stigmatization and social exclusion. It was such a serious concern that the Kingdom of Jerusalem had a specialized hospital to care for those suffering from leprosy.
Research suggests that prolonged close contact, specifically through respiratory droplets, is the primary mode of transmission of leprosy, rather than everyday contact such as shaking hands or hugging.
Armadillos represent the only known zoonotic reservoir of leprosy-causing bacteria that threaten humans. These small mammals are common in Central and South America and in parts of Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, and other states, where they are sometimes kept as pets or farmed as meat.
Eating armadillo meat is not a clear cause of leprosy, but capturing, raising, and preparing armadillos’ meat are risk factors.
Luke 5:12 And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.
Luke 5:13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Luke 5:14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Luke 5:15 But so much the more went his fame abroad, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities.
Luke 17:12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
Luke 17:13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
Luke 17:14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
Luke 17:15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
Luke 17:16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
Luke 17:18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
Luke 17:19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Leviticus 13:45 And the leper in whom the plague is, his clothes shall be rent, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip, and shall cry, Unclean, unclean.
Leviticus 13:46 All the days wherein the plague shall be in him he shall be defiled; he is unclean: he shall dwell alone; without the camp shall his habitation be.
Matthew 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Luke 5:13 And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him.
Luke 5:14 And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Matthew 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Luke 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and diseases; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.
Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Leprosy is typically spread through extended close contact with an untreated infected person.
Casual contact does not lead to infection.
You can’t catch leprosy from shaking hands, hugging, or sitting beside someone during a meal or on the bus.
Leprosy is not only preventable but treatable. Defying stigma and advancing early diagnosis via proactive measures are critical to the mission of controlling and eradicating it worldwide.
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