Medieval Disease That Causes Horror Rash And Deformities On The Rise Thanks To Armadillos

A grim medieval disease could be set for a comeback, with the ghastly, rash-causing ailment spotted in parts of the world.

Leprosy has been spotted in the United States as the grim ancient illness filters through Florida. Thankfully the bacterial infection is treatable in its early stages, but can still cause permanent disabilities of limbs or nerves, WHO confirmed.

Heightened cases of leprosy in Florida are inching towards endemic levels according to a recent study, which warned armadillos may be the infection-causing animal.

A report from August last year warned of an increasing number of leprosy infections. The disease can be treated if caught in its early stages but a stigma lasting around the illness means some may conceal their ailment, LiveScience reported.

The report read: "In recent years, an increasing number of people in Florida have been diagnosed with leprosy who don’t have a history of risk factors for typical transmission routes. These routes include travel to areas where the condition is widespread or contact with armadillos, which may harbour the infection-causing Mycobacterium leprae."

Emily Harris' report claimed leprosy was "endemic in the southeastern US", a worrying development which may be worsened by those concealing their diagnosis.

A name change for the disease was suggested to remove the "discriminating meaning" of the word, as biblical references to lepers, who were shunned because of their condition.

But those who are infected may not show any signs until 20 years after their first encounter with the bacterial horror. The lengthy incubation period from the infection means people are infected long before they know.

The World Health Organisation is aiming for "zero leprosy: zero infection and disease, zero disability, zero stigma and discrimination and the elimination of leprosy" by 2030.