Armadillos in Florida are linked to increased leprosy cases.
Florida health officials have issued a warning that people should avoid touching armadillos after a recent spike in cases of leprosy, which is linked to the animals.
According to the report from official at the Florida Department of Health, nine cases of leprosy have been recorded this year. The latest case was three weeks ago in Flagler County, BBC reported.
The spike in cases may have been due to more people coming in contact with the animals because they have been seen around mostly in daytime now, according to Dr. Sunil Joshi of the Duval County Medical Society in Florida.
There is an obvious reason why such cases are on the rise in Florida, Joshi told CNN.
"New homes are being developed, and we are tearing down armadillos' homes in the process. Now these creatures are coming out in the daytime, and the people who are getting exposed are those working outside," Joshi said.
Some armadillos naturally have leprosy, which is also called Hansen's disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
These animals are among the known animals that naturally carry the disease that causes damage to the skin and nerves.
The CDC said that contact with the animals can possibly lead to leprosy but the risk of contracting the disease is low.
Hansen's disease is caused by Mycobacterium leprae, a type of bacterium also found in the nine-banded armadillo species, according to deputy press secretary, Brad Dalton, who told USA Today by email.
Armadillos originally hail from South Americas, but now they can be found anywhere in the southeast regions of America, especially in Texas.
They are usually nocturnal creatures; but it's breeding season in the Sunshine State and so seeing them during daytime with their offspring is also not a rare instance.
Experts are now calling residents to exercise caution and resist the urge to touch the seemingly adorable armored creatures.
