Floridians Urged to Avoid Leprosy-Infected Armadillos

rockin'robin

rockin'robin

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Armadillos are the only animal to carry leprosy, according to the Center for Disease Control.

Leprosy cases in Florida are unusually high this year, and experts are blaming armadillos.

WJAX-TV reported that nine cases have been reported across Florida so far this year, already nearly matching the state's average of 10 cases per year, according to the Department of Health.

Dr. Sunil Joshi, president of the Duval County Medical Society, says each case this year has involved people who were in direct contact with armadillos.

According to the Center for Disease Control, armadillos are the only animal to carry leprosy, a bacterial disease that affects the skin and nerves. The disease can be spread through saliva.

The most recent diagnosis for leprosy came in Flagler County three weeks ago.

Joshi says these occurrences are still very rare, but urged people to stay away from the animal.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/nati...-317812051.html?_osource=SocialFlowFB_NYBrand
 
News to me!...Those in rural wooded areas need to be careful...Then too, feel some Armadillos live in the trees near the rivers too...

Saw a few pixs of people with Leprosy...very bad...but the only thing I know about the disease is what I read many years ago about a
"Leper Colony" where people who contacted this disease were shipped off to...

Back in the old days...when my family went hunting and could not find any deer, squirrels, etc., to shoot and eat...they shot Armadillos and that's what we ate....don't remember what they tasted like tho'....
 
I've always known that armadillos could get leprosy but I've never had any desire to get near an armadillo anyway. They're not exactly cute and cuddly.

I see them around here in SC sometimes; usually as road kill.
 
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