DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Three people have been diagnosed with leprosy in Volusia County over the last five months, two of whom got the disease after coming into contact with armadillos, health officials said.
Officials said three cases is an unusually high number for a rare disease. Typically, about 150 to 250 new cases of the bacterial disease are reported nationwide each year, with fewer than 10 in Florida, according to health officials.
Eighteen cases of leprosy were reported in Brevard County over the last five years, including eight in 2014.
Health officials said some of the Brevard cases were also linked to contact with armadillos, but it's not known exactly how the animals were involved in each case.
One case in Orange County was reported to the state last year.
Officials said the public does not need to be concerned and the disease is not very contagious.
Watch Local 6 News and stay with ClickOrlando.com for more on this story.
1 / 39
Let's hope they're watching over us during spelling class.To dumb to check out a dictionary.It also doesn't have spell check.And it isn't always pretty, either.At least she can wear a sock over this one.Nope, it's permanent... that's what it is.Dream, fight and learn to spell.It just doesn't conquer intelligence.Trust us, we don't want to be with you.Way to make the mistake even more noticable. Good job.And apparently, so is staying awake while learning how to spell in school.Let's just say this kid now wears a full collared shirt.At least his heart was in the right place.Forget the misspelling... that just looks painful.You know what... it's better for everyone if you don't speak.Maybe it's a pier on the ocean where vampires hang out. You don't know.You'd think that if you loved a car soooo much you got it ink'd on your body that you'd actually learn how to spell it.Dictionary and spell check.Not without that missing "e."Life's even harder when you spell it wrong.Yeah, something like that.No, we'll wait for you to get that apostrophe.If you're going to get a geek tattoo, at least spell it correctly.We can probably think of one.But that tattoo is most certainly not.OK, but we'll be at the crossroads and wait for you to show up.Hopeful of what? That permanent ink isn't so permanent?Shakespeare would be so proud.The only thing reckless is the guy who did this tattoo.Anyone check out the atlas?Maybe his name is Blest. Strange, but we've seen stranger.Sure, we belive.Let's hope!Yeah, that's not really how it goes.And only the smart can spell.That'll make for a good family discussion around the Thanksgiving table.Maybe it's time to get addicted to learning?Or nightmares.And if you were wondering where all those tattoos were created... this place would be a good start.
Let's hope they're watching over us during spelling class.
Copyright 2015 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
