The Return of Leprosy

Leprosy is back! 

What the hell? Leprosy? Really? 

Maybe having heard of leprosy in Bible stories, you might wonder, what is leprosy? 

Well, I did. I knew it was a really bad thing to have but never knew exactly what it is.

Leprosy is a long-term infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes.  This nerve damage may result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of a person's extremities from repeated injuries or infection through unnoticed wounds. An infected person may also experience muscle weakness and poor eyesight.

While the Bible tells of people afflicted with leprosy being shunned and exiled, the condition is remarkably not highly contagious.  People with leprosy can live with their families and go to school and work.

Man, you can't get out of nothing for anything anymore. 

In the 1980s, there were 5.2 million cases of leprosy around the world.  The number of leprosy cases fell below 200 thousand by 2020.

But leprosy is making a big comeback and guess where that surge in leprosy is taking place?

Of course you guessed Florida. 

And you guessed right.   

CDC issued a travel advisory for the state because of the rising number of leprosy cases. 

And so far Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his Republican led legislature has done fuck all about it.   

Two key positions in the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Epidemiology remain unfilled. The bureau is tasked with monitoring communicable illnesses.

Oh it's not just leprosy on the rise in Florida. 

There is also an ongoing surge in malaria.  

These case of leprosy and malaria are originating with Florida.  In other words, this can't be blamed on immigration or foreign trade. 

While DeSantis continues his war on African American history and the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and whatever the hell his beef with Walt Disney is, if you're in Florida and have been hit with leprosy and/or malaria...

Well, you're fucked. DeSantis and his minions have other priorities.