Story thread · 5 reports / 5 sources

What is leprosy? Here's how many cases there are in Florida

nbcmiami.com · 4dShare

Leprosy is in the news again due to reported cases in Central Florida—but how common is this disease and how is it spread? Here’s what to know. What is leprosy? Hansen’s disease, commonly known as leprosy, is caused by a slow-growing bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It effects the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose, and “in some cases, body parts may lose their sense of touch and pain, increasing the likelihood of injuries such as cuts and burns,” the CDC states. Each year, up to 225 people in the U.S. and 250,000 around the world are diagnosed with leprosy, experts say. How many cases of leprosy are there in Florida? According to the Florida Department of Health , cases of leprosy peaked in the state at 39 in 2025. So far this year, 19 cases have been reported. In 2023, a research paper published in the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases journal found that reported cases dou

First report: Japan's 'leprosy island': The dark history of Nagashima — france24.com, 5d