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Florida Leprosy Cases Reported 19, Armadillos Implicated

8/7/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Florida officials reported 17 leprosy cases on July 23 2026, raising the state total to 19 after two Brevard County cases on Aug. 1 2026.
Officials attribute many infections to nine-banded armadillos that can contaminate soil around their burrows.
The CDC says leprosy spreads only through close contact, while early diagnosis enables cure with a one-to-two-year multi-drug regimen after which patients are no longer infectious.

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Story summary

Florida officials reported 17 leprosy cases on July 23 2026, raising the state total to 19 after two Brevard County cases on Aug. 1 2026.
Officials attribute many infections to nine-banded armadillos that can contaminate soil around their burrows.
The CDC says leprosy spreads only through close contact, while early diagnosis enables cure with a one-to-two-year multi-drug regimen after which patients are no longer infectious.