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Hansen’s Disease (Leprosy) Symposium

Event Recap

Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Symposium

The EPI gathered leprosy experts to lead discussions on the public health implications and response to the disease. Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, has seen a recent increase in cases that lack traditional factors.

Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, the causative agent of Hansen's disease (leprosy).

Hansen’s disease, commonly known as leprosy, is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae and rarely by M. lepromatosis. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida has seen an increase in leprosy cases that lack traditional risk factors. Though about 95% of people have natural immunity to leprosy, the gradual increase in cases has been cause for concern. The National Hansen’s Disease Program reported 159 new cases in the United States in 2020, with Florida being one of the top reporting states accounting for 69% of the total new cases.

Event Recording

Leprosy Articles

Research Feature

UF EPI launches leprosy research team as Florida cases increase

The UF EPI has convened a group of experts to research the illness using a One Health approach, a way of studying disease that explores the links between people, animals and the environment.

Read more
EPI director stands with leprosy experts in front of the projector screen after the EPI leprosy symposium.

Research feature

Leprosy in Florida: medical experts monitoring unusual, new cases of Hansen’s disease

Medical experts provide insight to unusual, new cases of leprosy in Florida amid an uptick in the rate of infection.

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A 3D illustration of Mycobacterium leprae bacteria, the causative agent of leprosy

Expert Q&A

UF expert discusses leprosy and increased cases in Florida

UF expert answers important questions about leprosy and the impact of leprosy in Florida.

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A 3D illustration of the mycobacterium leprae bacteria, which is the causative agent of leprosy.

Research News

More than 16 percent of Florida’s armadillos carry leprosy bacterium, scientists report

An expert on Mycobacterium leprae, the bacillus that causes Hansen’s disease, announced Wednesday that armadillos were the only known animal host of the pathogen.

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Armadillo in Florida

Event Highlights

The event table for the EPI Leprosy Symposium.
An rearview shot of an empty conference room with the introduction slide on the projector screen before the room fills up for the EPI Leprosy Symposium.
Attendees grab breakfast and drinks before the EPI Leprosy Symposium begins.
Attendees at the EPI Leprosy Symposium network during over coffee and breakfast before the symposium begins. This shot focuss on two people having a conversation.
EPI Director Dr. J. Glenn Morris, Jr., kicks of the EPI Leprosy Symposium with a small introduction.
Dr. Norman Beatty gives his introduction presentation on the microbiology, transmission and history of leprosy to open the EPI Leprosy Symposium.
Speakers at the EPI Leprosy Symposium listen to the presentations and take notes.
Attendees at the EPI Leprosy Symposium applaud at the end of a presentation.
Dr. Danielle Stanek gives her presentation on the epidemiology of leprosy at the EPI Leprosy Symposium.
Attendees at the EPI Leprosy Symposium listen to the presentations and take notes.
Dr. Juan Campos Krauer gives his presentation on the history, ecology and risks for transmission of M. leprae through armadillos in Florida.
Attendees listen and take notes to presentations at the EPI Leprosy Symposium. Two attendees are the focal point of this shot with blurred participants in the background.
Dr. Nicole Iovine gives her presentation on a leprosy clinical case seen at UF Health.
An attendee at the EPI Leprosy Symposium takes a picture of a presentation.
Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi and a student volunteer give a demonstration on how to identify leprosy during his presentation on early diagnosis.
Attendees at the EPI Leprosy Symposium clap at the end of a presentation.
Dr. Jessica Fairley gives her presentation on management and outcomes of Florida leprosy cases during the EPI Leprosy Symposium.
Attendees at the EPI Leprosy Symposium clap at the end of a presentation.
The speakers at the EPI Leprosy Symposium sit on a panel to answer questions from the audience.
EPI director stands with leprosy experts in front of the projector screen after the EPI leprosy symposium.
The Emerging Pathogens Institute held a leprosy symposium in 2023 to discuss public health implications…

Meet the Speakers

Headshot of Norman Beatty.

University of Florida

Norman Beatty

Norman Beatty, MD, is an assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. His talk will discuss the microbiology and transmission of Mycobacterium leprae.

Headshot of Danielle Stanek

Florida Department of Health

Danielle Stanek

Danielle Stanek, DVM, is a state public health veterinarian at the Florida Department of Health. Her talk will discuss the epidemiology of Hansen's disease (Leprosy) in Florida.

Headshot of Dr. Juan Campos.

University of Florida

Juan Campos

Juan Campos, PhD, is an assistant professor at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. His talk will discuss the history, ecology and risks for transmission of Mycobacterium leprae from armadillos.

Headshot of Dr. Nicole Iovine.

University of Florida | UF HealtH

Nicole Iovine

Nicole Iovine, MD, is a clinical professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. She also serves as the chief epidemiologist at UF Health. Her talk will discuss clinical cases of Hansen's disease (Leprosy) at UF Health.

Headshot of Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi.

University of Florida | UF Health

Kartik Cherabuddi

Kartik Cherabuddi, MD, is a professor at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He also serves as the director of the Antimicrobial Stewardship Program at UF Health. His talk will discuss the prediction methods of Hansen's disease (Leprosy).

Headshot of Jessica Fairley.

Emory University | Atlanta Hansen's Disease Clinic

Jessica Fairley

Jessica Fairley, MD, is an associate professor at the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She also serves as the director of the Atlanta Hansen's Disease Clinic.