Florida has seen an increase in cases of leprosy, the ancient disease that can cause nerve damage in humans. Don’t play with them, said John Spencer, a scientist at Colorado State University who studies leprosy transmission in Brazil.

To better understand who’s at risk and to prevent leprosy infections in Florida, about 10 scientists from the University of Florida, Colorado State University and Emory University in Atlanta teamed up last year to investigate.

CSU leprosy researcher John Spencer comments on the recent connection identified between leprosy and medieval squirrels as potential hosts.

Associate professor and leprosy researcher Dr. John Spencer comments on the infectious nature of leprosy (M. Leprae) and the increased case numbers currently seen in Florida.

Identified in chimpanzees, leprosy joins a growing list of pathogens circulating in the environment that afflict both humans and other animals.

The first confirmed cases of leprosy affecting wild chimpanzees, suggests an unidentified reservoir in the environment.

After 23 years, CSU professor John Spencer remains as passionate as ever about his work, especially efforts to contribute to the creation of a simple test to determine a person’s risk for developing leprosy.

CSU professor John Spencer explains how armadillos pose a serious risk of spreading leprosy through contact with local human populations.

An international team led by Colorado State University has found that human contact with wild armadillos has contributed to extremely high infection rates of a pathogen that can cause leprosy in Pará, Brazil.