The latest figures come after Florida experienced its highest number of leprosy cases in decades. During 2025, the state recorded 36 confirmed infections, the largest annual total since health officials began monitoring the disease in 1992.
State records indicate that 26 of those infections were acquired within Florida itself, highlighting growing concerns that the disease is no longer primarily linked to international travel. One patient contracted the illness elsewhere in the United States, while two infections were traced to overseas exposure. Officials were unable to determine where the remaining seven individuals became infected.
The trend has prompted renewed attention from public health experts, particularly as Central Florida continues to account for the vast majority of recent diagnoses.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen disease, is caused by the slow-growing bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. Unlike many infectious diseases, leprosy often develops over an exceptionally long period of time. In some cases, symptoms may not appear until several years after exposure, with medical experts noting that the incubation period can extend for up to two decades.
Because of that unusually long timeline, determining exactly when and where an individual contracted the disease can be challenging, making contact tracing more difficult for public health officials.
The disease primarily attacks the skin and peripheral nerves. Early warning signs may include skin lesions, discolored patches, lumps, and ulcers that fail to heal. Patients may also experience the gradual loss of eyebrows and eyelashes.
As the illness progresses, nerve damage can become one of its most serious complications. Individuals may lose the ability to feel pain, heat, or touch in affected areas, significantly increasing the risk of burns, cuts, and other injuries that can go unnoticed without proper treatment.
Despite its historic reputation, federal health officials emphasize that leprosy is far less contagious than many people believe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transmission generally requires prolonged, close contact with an infected person’s respiratory droplets, including saliva or mucus from the mouth or nose. Casual interactions typically do not spread the disease.
The CDC also notes that approximately 95 percent of people possess a natural immunity to leprosy, meaning the vast majority of individuals will never become infected even if they are exposed to the bacteria.
Health experts continue to stress that early diagnosis and treatment are highly effective. Modern antibiotic therapy can cure the disease and prevent further complications when patients receive medical care before significant nerve damage occurs.
Although leprosy remains rare across the United States, federal data shows roughly 225 new cases are diagnosed nationwide each year. On a global scale, the disease continues to affect approximately 250,000 people annually.
Historically, many Americans diagnosed with Hansen disease were believed to have contracted the infection while traveling abroad. However, Florida’s recent data has drawn increased attention because many of the state’s cases appear to have originated locally, with contact involving armadillos remaining a significant focus of health officials’ investigations.
As Central Florida continues to account for the bulk of recent infections, state officials are advising residents to avoid handling armadillos or coming into direct contact with the animals. While the overall risk to the public remains low, authorities say taking simple precautions can help reduce the already uncommon chance of infection.
