infectious diseases
Leprosy
Epidemiology of Leprosy
Globally, the number of leprosy cases is declining. In 2020, about 130,000 new cases were reported, and about 73% of cases occurred in India, Brazil, and Indonesia ( Epidemiology references ). In 2020, 159 new cases were reported in the US; about three quarters occurred in 6 states: California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, and Texas ( Epidemiology references ). Most cases of leprosy in the US involve people who emigrated from or worked in countries where leprosy is common. Most of the indigenously acquired cases involved people who live in southern states where nine-banded armadillos infected with unique genotypes of Leprosy can develop at any age. Older age is a risk factor, but disease occurs most often in people aged 5 to 15 years or>30 years. 1.World Health Organization (WHO):Leprosy (Hansen's disease). Accessed 4/26/2022. 2.Health Resources and Services Administration:National Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Program Caring and Curing Since 1894. Accessed 4/26/2022. 3.Truman RW, Singh P, Sharma R, et al: Probable zoonotic leprosy in the southern United States.N Engl J Med364(17):1626–1633, 2011. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1010536 