Health officials in Volusia County in Florida have informed that new cases of leprosy have been reported ever since October of 2014. They are suspecting that the culprit behind these cases very possible can be leprosy.
Generally referred to as the Hansen’s disease, this disease is an infection which has effect on the skin and nerves along with the respiratory tract and could lead to facial and extremity deformity. There was a time when this disease was considered transmittable as well as horrifying but as of now it is pretty uncommon and also responsive to treatment.
A timely diagnosis and early treatment along with the intake of specified antibiotics usually helps the prevention of morbidity and disability that is the byproduct of leprosy.
It is believed by officials in Florida that armadillos are the cause of this horrendous disease for the 3 cases which leads them to being the key carriers of the zoonotic bacteria in the U.S.
The Centre of Disease Control and Prevention has filed reports for almost 100 cases with a huge percentage of that occurring in the south, mostly prevailing in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Given the fact that leprosy can be transmitted from an individual to another via coughing or sneezing or direct contact with secretions, even though it is likely that contact with feces and armadillo could be more significant in surroundings where armadillos are around humans.
This disease it treatable with the help of antibiotics, making a multidrug therapy MDT the most effective one, as reported by WHO and CDC. Treatments could last from 6 months to almost 2 years.
A huge part of the U.S. have immunity to the bacteria although it is vital to acknowledge that it can be have its transmission via nasal sections and droplets spread.
Therefore, an individual who probably has somehow come in contact with a suspected leprosy is in need of an on-time and immediate evaluation by a medical expert with fast administration of antibiotics. The carrier is in need of timely treatment and seclusion in order to steer clear of transmission.
As long as there is low risk, individuals have been suggested to stay away from armadillos in the Southern U.S. as they are carriers of disease.
