Leprosy Cases On The Rise In Central Florida, Accounting 20% Of Cases Nationwide
In a research letter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that cases of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, have surged in Central Florida. The area accounts for 81% of reported cases in the state and almost one-fifth of cases nationwide. Leprosy is an infectious disease that normally spreads through contact and primarily affects a patient’s skin and peripheral nervous system. Known symptoms of the disease include discolored skin patches, thick and dry skin, loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, muscle weakness and enlarged nerves. The research letter noted that “the numbe...