TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida health officials have confirmed a case of leprosy, a rare disease that might sound alarming but poses little threat to the community, according to health experts who say residents should focus on more common diseases heading into the holiday season.<\/p>\n
The leprosy case was confirmed in November. The patient is between 80 and 84 years old and reportedly contracted the disease in Florida. While the diagnosis may raise concerns, leprosy is extremely rare and easily treatable, according to Dr. George Rust from FSU\u2019s College of Medicine.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople know of leprosy from the Bible and from historical times when prolonged, untreated leprosy could lead to disfiguring conditions,\u201d Rust said. \u201cBut now it\u2019s very treatable. It\u2019s also very hard to catch from another person.\u201d<\/p>\n
Understanding leprosy\u2019s rarity<\/p>\n
Leprosy is a skin condition that also involves the nerves near the surface of the skin. There are only about 200 cases in the whole country every year, Rust said. <\/p>\n
According to data obtained from the Florida Department of Health, there have been 36 confirmed cases reported in 2025. Two have happened in the Big Bend. One in Liberty County back in August, and this new case in Leon County.<\/p>\n
The disease can remain dormant for years before symptoms appear, especially as the immune system weakens with age. Many cases are actually acquired overseas, particularly in India, Brazil or Indonesia, which account for about 80% of global cases, according to Rust.<\/p>\n
Armadillos pose potential risk<\/p>\n
If acquired locally, exposure could come from soil or armadillos. Armadillos are the only animal reservoir for leprosy in the United States due to their unique biology, including low body temperatures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of reasons not to play with armadillos, but one of them would be to avoid catching leprosy,\u201d Rust said.<\/p>\n
Symptoms and treatment<\/p>\n
Warning signs include abnormal skin lesions that can appear as flat patches or nodules on the skin, sometimes affecting the nose or eyes. However, skin cancer is far more likely than leprosy for such symptoms.<\/p>\n
Treatment involves antibiotics similar to those used for tuberculosis and takes about six months. Patients are not contagious during treatment.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo transmit it to another person would require prolonged household contact,\u201d Rust said. \u201cIt\u2019s not something you\u2019re gonna get by shaking somebody\u2019s hand once or if they cough in the office.\u201d<\/p>\n
Triple threat emerges for holidays<\/p>\n
Rust says there are many more serious threats to families\u2019 health right now.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re about to enter the season of the triple-demic. Influenza, COVID and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, will all surge and peak right around the holidays and right after all the people gather together for their holiday gatherings, and they will share their germs and viruses freely and then go home and get sick,\u201d Rust said. \u201cThose three will surge in late December, early January in our area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Whooping cough cases climb locally<\/p>\n
Another concern is whooping cough, which is surging locally. 30 cases have been reported in the Big Bend this year. Most victims are children under five, according to FDOH.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere have been infants in the hospital with whooping cough, pertussis, where they turn blue when they can\u2019t catch their breath, the coughing is so bad,\u201d Rust said. \u201cAnd often it\u2019s because vaccinations have been delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rust encourages people to think about relative risk.<\/p>\n
\u201cLeprosy, lightning strikes. I mean, it\u2019s just not a risk that most people should be concerned about,\u201d he said. \u201cWhooping cough in those kids or older adults, absolutely. Triple demic respiratory infections, that\u2019s really what I\u2019m concerned about right now as we come into that season.\u201d<\/p>\n
Rust says flu shots and COVID boosters are what will actually keep families healthy this winter. Health officials say get vaccinated before holiday gatherings begin.<\/p>\n
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