![]() Armadillos are one of the only known animals to carry leprosy.ĬNN reports that, “Experts are urging Floridians to use caution and not touch the small, cat-sized creatures. Experts said they believe the spike is because of people coming into contact with armadillos. Department of Health and Human Services speculates that it's possibly because of increased contact between people and leprosy infected armadillos. Recently there seems to have been a significant increase in the number of cases in Florida, according to CNN. Affected animals develop nodules in and under the skin associated with acid-fast bacteria in the cells (3). While uncommon, leprosy has been reported in both dogs and cats (1,2). Early diagnosis and treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) remain the key elements in eliminating the disease as a public health concern, according to the World Health Organization.Īlso according to the World Health Organization, official figures show that more than 215,000 new cases of leprosy were reported in 2013, globally.Īre dogs and cats ever infected by leprosy? Untreated, leprosy can cause progressive and permanent damage to the skin, nerves, limbs and eyes. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear. ![]() The causative organism multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. It is transmitted via droplets, from the nose and mouth, during close and frequent contacts with untreated cases. ![]() How is the leprosy spread and what can it do? Leprosy is a chronic disease caused by a bacillus, Mycobacterium leprae. Sunil Joshi, president-elect of the Duval County Medical Society in Florida.” Jareen Imam of CNN.com reports, “Leprosy is a rare disease, and there are, on average, 50 to 100 cases in the United States every year, according to Dr. Amazingly, it is now experiencing a renewed incidence in our own country from a most unlikely source. In spite of the fact that most people, and many health care providers, have never seen the disease, Leprosy has been extremely prevalent in various areas throughout history. “In Europe, leprosy first appeared in the records of ancient Greece after the army of Alexander the Great came back from India and then in Rome in 62 B.C.” Indian writings describe a disease that resembles leprosy too. Stanford University says that, “For a long time leprosy was thought to be a hereditary disease, a curse, or a punishment from God.” Stanford also reports that it’s an ancient disease, and discussed in an Egyptian Papyrus document written around 1550 B.C. Throughout its history, leprosy has been feared and misunderstood. Leprosy… the very word produces mental images of suffering and disfigurement.
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