HEALTH Leprosy in the U.S.

[helen]

God Almighty.

Leprosy is beginning to occur regularly within parts of the southeastern United States. Most recently, Florida has seen a heightened incidence of leprosy, accounting for many of the newly diagnosed cases in the US.

The surge in new cases in central Florida highlights the urgent need for health care providers to report them immediately. Contact tracing is critical to identifying sources and reducing transmission.

Traditional risk factors include zoonotic exposure and having recently lived in leprosy-endemic countries. Brazil, India and Indonesia have each noted more than 10,000 new cases since 2019, according to the World Health Organization data, and more than a dozen countries have reported between 1,000 to 10,000 new cases over the same time period.

Experts Warn Leprosy Isn't Ancient History as Cases Surge in The US

What is leprosy and why is it resurfacing in the US? Leprosy is caused by two different but similar bacteria – Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis – the latter having just been identified in 2008.

www.sciencealert.com

 

[fi103r]

God Almighty.

Leprosy is beginning to occur regularly within parts of the southeastern United States. Most recently, Florida has seen a heightened incidence of leprosy, accounting for many of the newly diagnosed cases in the US.

The surge in new cases in central Florida highlights the urgent need for health care providers to report them immediately. Contact tracing is critical to identifying sources and reducing transmission.

Traditional risk factors include zoonotic exposure and having recently lived in leprosy-endemic countries. Brazil, India and Indonesia have each noted more than 10,000 new cases since 2019, according to the World Health Organization data, and more than a dozen countries have reported between 1,000 to 10,000 new cases over the same time period.

Experts Warn Leprosy Isn't Ancient History as Cases Surge in The US

What is leprosy and why is it resurfacing in the US? Leprosy is caused by two different but similar bacteria – Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis – the latter having just been identified in 2008.

www.sciencealert.com

around here (TX) main transmission source of Leprosy is Aramadillos not sure about elsewhere
some folks catch and eat Aramadillos
and Oppossums etc

 

[Blacknarwhal]

And with the latest batch of cannibals showing up, well, who knows WHAT'S next?

 

[ShadowMan]

Better get ready for all sorts of medical nightmares to start hitting the US.....why? Because of these OVERWHELMING INVADERS crossing our boarders unrelentingly AND with assistance of our very own government. Diseases unheard of here in North American and diseases that have been eradicated from our country and going to start showing up!!

 

[Reasonable Rascal]

around here (TX) main transmission source of Leprosy is Aramadillos not sure about elsewhere
some folks catch and eat Aramadillos
and Oppossums etc

It is not the eating but the handling of them, for dinner or not. And sneezing. Never try to handle an armdillo with a cold. But yes, armadillos are a significant reservoir for them in the US.

Ellis Island once served as a significant barrier to the entry of folks with contagious disease from Europe and elsewhere. You received a health exam while there and could be quarantined, or even sent back. The latter was at the expense of the steamship company that brought you over, because they were supposed to perform a preliminary inspection before you boarded overseas. Once you arrived if the docs didn't judge you fit for admission you were either deported back or quarantined, assuming they thought you would recover.

RR

 

[Babs]

It is treatable with antibiotics.

 

[school marm]

It is treatable with antibiotics.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, treatment with the antibiotics rifampin, clofazimine, and dapsone lasts 1-2 years. Steroids are also needed.

 

[Melodi]

This is exactly what happens when large populations, including many natural-born American citizens, lack access to basic health care. When people can't afford doctor's visits (even with "insurance" that doesn't kick in until thousands of dollars are spent), many people will try to cope with symptoms of almost anything except a horrific accident where an ambulance is called (especially at work or on the highway).

I have been concerned about this for decades, but it has gotten a lot worse, especially in rural areas in the US, as hospitals close down, huge corporations buy out GP practices, and others shut down. Large numbers of people living without sanitation or running water make REAL epidemic diseases a lot more likely to rear their ugly heads. The Germs don't care if the camp is full of Americans who have no home or illegals in "migration centers." The problems are the same.

One reason public health was created in the US was during the large legal immigrant waves of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people were pilled into damp, unsanitary, housing like "The Irish Quarter" or "Little Italy." It soon became apparent to doctors and nurses that the waves of disease that swept through these places DID NOT STAY THERE. The 1918 flu was the game changer. Deaths were much higher in those closely packed communities, but they also served as a vector to everyone else as people often worked outside the tenements in public-facing jobs.

So expect a lot more leprosy, Measles, TB, Colera, Depthria, Noro Viruses, walking Penmonia, scabies (and other skin diseases), various venereal diseases, HIV, Strep Throat, Meningitis, Chicken Pox, even Yersinia Pestis; making a come back. Many of these are treatable if caught early, but they won't be treated if people don't have access to health care. Some, like Yersinia pestis (The Black Death), can spread so quickly that there might not be enough antibiotics to treat a large breakout quickly and stop it easily.

I am saddened by this situation but not surprised by it. This is a canary in the coal mine, that needs to be paid attention to. Leprosy is treatable today (thank goodness), but it isn't the only old killer that can easily come roaring back.

 

[night driver]

I've dealt with the CCF International Med Dept. They are DAMN GOOD at what they do.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**dingaling-aling** UNCLEAN UNCLEAN **dingaling-aling**

Just practicing with my little bell

 

[Samuel Adams]

My understanding is that D.C. is absolutely overrun with the stuff…..particularly in vicinity of Pennsylvania Ave.

 

[ginnie6]

I've never seen an armadillo but I hear that they are a carrier of leprosy. I've also seen posts on social media of how cute they are....cue the animal rights Karens.

My Grannie used to tell us stories of when she was growing up and rabid dogs running around. They shot stray dogs on sight to be safe. Seems like maybe, just maybe, if you saw an armadillo in your yard and it might carry a disease that could drastically alter your life, the smart thing to do would be to dispose of it rather than feed it and call it cute and cuddle it because you know its a wild animal and pitiful......

Mercy! we need common sense to make a comeback.

 

[Samuel Adams]

Seems like maybe, just maybe, if you saw an bureaucrat/politician in your yard and it most likely carries a disease that could drastically alter your life, the smart thing to do would be to dispose of it rather than feed it and call it cute and cuddle it…..

Fixed it for you.

 

[Capt. Eddie]

They shot stray dogs on sight to be safe.

In some places that's still the practice, especially if they are running in a pack. Packs tend to indicate they've gone feral, once a domestic dog has gone feral it's pretty much irredeemable.

 

[RB Martin]

I've never seen an armadillo but I hear that they are a carrier of leprosy. I've also seen posts on social media of how cute they are....cue the animal rights Karens.

My Grannie used to tell us stories of when she was growing up and rabid dogs running around. They shot stray dogs on sight to be safe. Seems like maybe, just maybe, if you saw an armadillo in your yard and it might carry a disease that could drastically alter your life, the smart thing to do would be to dispose of it rather than feed it and call it cute and cuddle it because you know its a wild animal and pitiful......

Mercy! we need common sense to make a comeback.

Armadillos are all over the low country and the midlands. I'm surprised they've not shown up in the upstate. Is that where you are?

First spotted near the southern section of the Savannah River in the 1980s, armadillos have since shown up in the Columbia, Greenville and Charleston areas. One was seen on the beach at Kiawah Island in 2020. They’ve even moved into the mountains around Pickens and Walhalla during the past decade.

 

[Fly Girl]

I've dealt with the CCF International Med Dept. They are DAMN GOOD at what they do.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

**dingaling-aling** UNCLEAN UNCLEAN **dingaling-aling**

Just practicing with my little bell

I dunno…I was up visiting on respiratory unit not long ago. Old, dirty institutional is the vibe. That of course was after walking by the private entrance to the Omni Hotel. Many people have said they would not take their dog there….some of them I understand why.

 

[changed]

Thanks illegal aliens

 

[bassgirl]

We have Armadillos in the mountains see in Arkansas. I see them dead on the side of the road all the time.

 

[CaryC]

It is treatable with antibiotics.

Thank you.

There have been cases of Leprosy in the US for a few hundred years. It was so scary, that the US government even designated at least a couple of Islands 1- off the coast of Louisiana and 1 of the Hawaiian islands, as Leper colonies. Travel to and from was restricted.

And then they found a cure. The government allowed those who wanted to leave, some stayed, it's all they knew. They were born there.

The reason it was so scary is "contagious". funny don't you think, that HIV wasn't scary or contagious.

 

[Babs]

We have Armadillos in the mountains see in Arkansas. I see them dead on the side of the road all the time.

It seems they are migrating further north all the time.

 

[JMG91]

Interesting. A couple years ago, I felt led to research natural treatments for leprosy. I found an excellent article on it that details an African herb that has great results on it. It’s called Chaulmoogra. Unfortunately, the article I found it in has disappeared. Go figure.

 

[33dInd]

It is treatable with antibiotics.

Though your correct
That’s not the point

The leprocy cropping up is not the result of armadillos
It’s from an insane party of this country
Letting all sorts of people with all sorts of dangerous bugs that had not occurred in our country in decades
Leprocy. Measles. Ebola.
Their talking small pox again
Monkey pox
Polio.
This is by design with intent to cause great harm to the indegenous people of this country

 

[ginnie6]

Armadillos are all over the low country and the midlands. I'm surprised they've not shown up in the upstate. Is that where you are?

So far I have not seen one and yes Upstate. They may be here though.

 

[Babs]

Though your correct
That’s not the point

Really? What is the point? No need to be terrified of it....it is treatable. That is my point.

 

[FireDance]

We were discussing the “possible” disposal of an armadillo with a friend a few weeks ago and of course, firearms were discussed. Well, of course, you have to hit one in the correct place or you won’t kill it (I personally don’t have a real clue about how hard their armor is, but can imagine that like a wild boar, placement would be key.) Anyway, the caliber went up jokingly to a ridiculous level and all I could think/say was, “And you are going to clean that mess up how?”

The best answer was actually to rid the yard of the grubs they’re going after and let it move on. We don’t have tons of them at any one time, but we have enough. And I cannot recall if they are the seven or nine banded type. Of course, I am sure both could be here. I just stay away from them. They aren’t cute to me.

And furthermore, none of the dogs running around are cute either. You know we had the dog next door running over here in my last saga (trying to sneak up and bite type). Well, I finally got the owners name and number and every time I see the dog I call the owner and tell him it’s out and I saw it in the road and am afraid it will be hit (wishful thinking). I’m TRYING to be nice.


On the leprosy, did anyone else notice that the article said that they are working on a vax for this??? Yay. I’m lining up. (Not). However, the antibiotic treatment looks hard and possibly long. Not anything I’d want to do.

 

[Mark D]

Leprosy is beginning to occur regularly within parts of the southeastern United States. Most recently, Florida has seen a heightened incidence of leprosy, accounting for many of the newly diagnosed cases in the US.

The surge in new cases in central Florida highlights the urgent need for health care providers to report them immediately. Contact tracing is critical to identifying sources and reducing transmission.

Traditional risk factors include zoonotic exposure and having recently lived in leprosy-endemic countries. Brazil, India and Indonesia have each noted more than 10,000 new cases since 2019, according to the World Health Organization data, and more than a dozen countries have reported between 1,000 to 10,000 new cases over the same time period.

Experts Warn Leprosy Isn't Ancient History as Cases Surge in The US

What is leprosy and why is it resurfacing in the US? Leprosy is caused by two different but similar bacteria – Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis – the latter having just been identified in 2008.

www.sciencealert.com

Well... We DID choose to import it on a grand scale.

 

[CaryC]

Though your correct
That’s not the point

The leprocy cropping up is not the result of armadillos
It’s from an insane party of this country
Letting all sorts of people with all sorts of dangerous bugs that had not occurred in our country in decades
Leprocy. Measles. Ebola.
Their talking small pox again
Monkey pox
Polio.
This is by design with intent to cause great harm to the indegenous people of this country

While agreeing with you about the armadillos. I also agree with Babs. Treatable, and has been for a long period of time. Not like covid. A new treatment and we were the experiment.

Out of all the diseases you mentioned, the one to pay attention to most closely is measles. The rest not so much. No matter what Helen says, or panic's over. Unless you are a practicing homosexual, then you have bigger things to worry about. HIV and other blood born diseases. And in almost all of the diseases you mentioned a general practice should be don't touch blood without protection.

I had the measles when I was 5. Which would put it in 1957. Segregated from everyone except my grandmother, and in darkened rooms to protect my eyes.

 

[BUBBAHOTEPT]

Just like momma used to say, “Son, don’t let the bed bugs bite!”, before I went to sleep. I always thought about what in the hell was she talking about; in fact, she might as well have said look out for Bigfoot in the window.
Well, a generation later with open borders and Democratic lawmakers in Congress, I finally know what she meant..…..

 

[school marm]

I'm not personally worried about leprosy becoming an issue for me or my family. However, I do not understand the cavalier, "it's treatable" attitude, especially here among members who are supposedly somewhat aware of the precarious state of medical care and availability of critical medications in this country.

I spend a bit of time researching off-grid medicine and how we're going to make do when China cuts us off. I had never even heard of the antibiotics that treat leprosy until yesterday when I looked them up to post on this thread. Two of the antibiotics aren't sold by All Day Chemist. The third one, dapsone, is. And it is very reasonably priced at less than 2 cents per pill. Steroids are hard to get. Regardless, how much is it going to cost to treat a case of leprosy for one or two years.

And what side effects will those medications exert on your body? And who in their right mind thinks that they're going to be able to obtain these medications when our society collapses? And who thinks that the invaders, if they get diagnosed and start treatment, will continue treatment until cured? It's difficult enough for tuberculosis patients to remain compliant in good times. And this is just one disease.

 

[Babs]

However, I do not understand the cavalier, "it's treatable" attitude, especially here among members who are supposedly somewhat aware of the precarious state of medical care and availability of critical medications in this country.

I don't believe I'm being "cavalier". I just don't believe that people need to get worked up into a terror about it. There are many worse things to be afraid of nowadays. And, as Cary pointed out, Leprosy has been here for a long time.

 

[BUBBAHOTEPT]

We get bombarded by so much of this everyday that I think we are all constantly whistling by the graveyard…..

 

[33dInd]

Really? What is the point? No need to be terrified of it....it is treatable. That is my point.

Babs
Not trying to pick a fight
Yes it is treatable
The op was about it spreading because of the illegals
Not the armidilos
We’ve know for decades that armadillos were a vector and it was rare in America to catch it
But the advent of third worlds people have spiked this and many other dangerous illness that most people in this country have never contended with except for us real old timers
That’s my point

 

[school marm]

I don't believe I'm being "cavalier". I just don't believe that people need to get worked up into a terror about it. There are many worse things to be afraid of nowadays. And, as Cary pointed out, Leprosy has been here for a long time.

It's not the disease, in this case, leprosy. It's the idea that we don't need to worry about any particular disease because it is "treatable," in this case, with antibiotics. The time is coming when we will not be able to treat many diseases because China has cut us off, we have no domestic production, and even if we did, no supply chain or economy to be able to get the needed medications.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

Delete

 

[Sooth]

The Great Grandparents used to tell tales, tall tales most likely, of a legendary place they called Ellis Island. They claim that immigrants from all over the world were received there and processed into the United States to become new citizens. The processing included medical doctors checking these immigrants for diseases so that no diseases would be brought into the country.

If we only had someplace like this legendary Ellis Island we could check these immigrants for diseases. Like so many of the tall tales told by the fading minds of our elders, this too must be relegated to the wishes and dreams category. Darn shame because if it could be made real, might solve a lot of problems.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

There are a whole host of diseases coming into this country that haven't been prevalent, until now. Some from third world hellholes. I've seen Ebola, Smallpox, Monkeypox, Plague, now Leprosy, and I'm sure others that I have forgotten posted on the forum over time. Do we need to panic every time something new is posted? Right now, most of these diseases are treatable. In the future, if and when, treatment becomes unavailable, Leprosy and these other diseases will just be adding to the "world of hurt" that we'll all be living in. Nothing anyone can do about it.

 

[John Deere Girl]

There are a whole host of diseases coming into this country that haven't been prevalent, until now. Some from third world hellholes. I've seen Ebola, Smallpox, Monkeypox, Plague, now Leprosy, and I'm sure others that I have forgotten posted on the forum over time. Do we need to panic every time something new is posted? Right now, most of these diseases are treatable. In the future, if and when, treatment becomes unavailable, Leprosy and these other diseases will just be adding to the "world of hurt" that we'll all be living in. Nothing anyone can do about it.

I don't think anyone is panicking, as much as this thread is kind of a heads up. I am not fearful at all but I do like to be aware, so I can somewhat plan.

 

[SouthernBreeze]

I don't think anyone is panicking, as much as this thread is kind of a heads up. I am not fearful at all but I do like to be aware, so I can somewhat plan.

There's a very small group of people here that seem to panic every time Helen posts something new. They act like everyone is going to die. Those are the ones I'm talking about without going into further detail.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't use common sense in evaluating these things. I'm not fearful at all, either, but I do plan to stay aware.

 

[bev]

Though your correct
That’s not the point

The leprocy cropping up is not the result of armadillos
It’s from an insane party of this country
Letting all sorts of people with all sorts of dangerous bugs that had not occurred in our country in decades
Leprocy. Measles. Ebola.
Their talking small pox again
Monkey pox
Polio.
This is by design with intent to cause great harm to the indegenous people of this country

Speaking of polio …

I read yesterday that the last person using an iron lung for polio had died.

ETA: I was wrong. There is still one person living with an iron lung. (Posted on Main)

 

[bev]

There's a very small group of people here that seem to panic every time Helen posts something new. They act like everyone is going to die. Those are the ones I'm talking about without going into further detail.

I'm not saying that we shouldn't use common sense in evaluating these things. I'm not fearful at all, either, but I do plan to stay aware.

They would panic if Helen just posts about a new style of panties.

 

[Babs]

There are a whole host of diseases coming into this country that haven't been prevalent, until now. Some from third world hellholes. I've seen Ebola, Smallpox, Monkeypox, Plague, now Leprosy, and I'm sure others that I have forgotten posted on the forum over time. Do we need to panic every time something new is posted? Right now, most of these diseases are treatable. In the future, if and when, treatment becomes unavailable, Leprosy and these other diseases will just be adding to the "world of hurt" that we'll all be living in. Nothing anyone can do about it.

Smallpox scares me way more than Leprosy. That, and, antibiotic resistant TB.