Armadillos have been the main cause of the spread of leprosy in the South-Eastern United States for decades. I don't know if the increase is due to more people walking barefoot, man increasingly encroaching on armadillo habitats, an increase in the armadillo population, the leprosy bacteria surviving longer as the weather changes, something else, or some combination. But if you live in an area with armadillos, you should wear shoes outdoors.
Zoonotic spread is indeed as you say. However, a recent study failed to show the uptick that's being indicated in the article related to known methods on zoonotic spread. The vast majority of Armadillos infections with M. leprae are with strain 3I-2-v1, however the uptick, especially in Florida, is with strain 3I-2-v15. Additionally, considering the specific mutations involved with v15, it is unlikely that v15 is but a recent mutation of v1. But the paper also shows that v1 is spreading faster and wider in Armadillos than it "should" be and that there might be something in common with v15's spread in humans and v1 in Armadillos.
So in short, yes Armadillos are a vector but they aren't this particular uptick's vector, as best as can be told.
Duly noted, seems like everyone but me knew this! Growing up in the south , barefoot is very natural. I’ve done tons of stuff barefoot. However, once I’ve learned this, it will no longer be a pleasure I’ll take part in. Glad you wrote that out because it’s not something they put in the papers, so to say. It’s damn sure not going to be shared by many people who like to live with their head up there ass so here I am, thank you!
This is very confusing! I think you’re saying: don’t walk barefoot outdoors where there’s a bacterial contamination concern. This seems too simple! Please help!
Actual answer: Environmental and habitat destruction of disease carrying animals, the death of natural predators to mosquitos, increased warming and flooding that provide more places where mosquitos can breed, and for longer periods of time, A population of elderly people more vulnerable to disease, Science skeptical people who are less likely to take precautions to prevent disease, and Florida laws preventing a gutted Department of Health and CDC from doing their job.
live in a region historically known for being nigh uninhabitable to white people because of tropical diseases until modern medicine
"we don't need medicine"
place becomes overrun with disease again
What were they thinking would happen, Florida is one of the worst places in the world for mosquitos and disease in general, or at least it would be without modern medicine. Even the Amazon has the advantage of not being one massive brackish puddle.
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