Leprosy

[ramonmercado]

“…about 66% of cases are from people who immigrated from leprosy endemic countries, about 34% were locally acquired, a concerning number because the cause is unknown, the study said—there’s “no clear evidence” of animal transmission or other “traditionally known risk factors.” “

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariann...eastern-states-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

I’d guess that the 34% from “unknown causes” were people in contact with immigrants who, for whatever reason, didn’t know that they were immigrants or preferred not to discuss other people’s immigration status with the authorities.

maximus otter

Or armadillos as Kondoru suggested.

Although most cases of leprosy are spread from person to person, the disease can also be spread through zoonotic (animal) contact — especially through armadillos.

In the southern US, some armadillos are infected with the Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, the CDC reports, and it’s possible that the animals can spread it to people who come into contact with them.

https://nypost.com/2023/07/31/leprosy-on-the-rise-in-florida-cdc-health-alert/

 

[AnonyJ]

“…about 66% of cases are from people who immigrated from leprosy endemic countries, about 34% were locally acquired, a concerning number because the cause is unknown, the study said—there’s “no clear evidence” of animal transmission or other “traditionally known risk factors.” “

https://www.forbes.com/sites/ariann...eastern-states-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/

I’d guess that the 34% from “unknown causes” were people in contact with immigrants who, for whatever reason, didn’t know that they were immigrants or preferred not to discuss other people’s immigration status with the authorities.

maximus otter

34% of cases could have been Florida-resident people (family, close friends) in contact with the persons who had immigrated into US/travelled abroad and developed leprosy.

That's how I would interpret those data.

 

[catseye]

34% of cases could have been Florida-resident people (family, close friends) in contact with the persons who had immigrated into US/travelled abroad and developed leprosy.

That's how I would interpret those data.

Either that or there are a LOT more armadillos wandering around than reading has led me to believe.