THERE ARE MORE LEPROSY CASES IN FLORIDA THAN NORMAL THIS YEAR, AND EXPERTS ARE BLAMING ARMADILLOS.
NINE CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED SO FAR, NEARLY MATCHING THE STATE’S AVERAGE OF TEN CASES FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.
OFFICIALS SAY EACH CASE HAS INVOLVED PEOPLE WHO WERE IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH ARMADILLOS.
ACCORDING TO THE CDC, ARMADILLOS ARE THE ONLY ANIMAL TO CARRY LEPROSY, A BACTERIAL DISEASE THAT CAN BE SPREAD THROUGH SLIVA.
IT AFFECTS THE SKIN AND NERVES.
WHILE THESE OCCURRENCES ARE STILL VERY RARE, PEOPLE ARE URGED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE ANIMAL.
