Cases of Leprosy have spiked to near endemic levels in Florida, according to a report from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), but Hernando County seems to have evaded the uptick.

Also known as Hansen’s Disease, it is caused by slow-growing infectious bacteria that primarily affect the skin and peripheral nervous system (PS). The PS includes nerves outside the brain and spinal cord, and Hansen’s Disease can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose, the CDC said. Symptoms include discolored patches of skin that may be numb and look faded, growths on the skin, painless ulcers on the soles of the feet, and muscle weakness or paralysis, especially in the hands and feet.

The condition is not easily spread from person to person or through casual contact, such as shaking hands, sitting beside, or talking to someone who has the disease, the agency said.

A research letter published in the Aug. 8 issue of the CDC’s Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Journal reported that 81 percent of cases in Florida were reported in Central Florida, which includes Brevard, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties.

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According to the report, the Florida cases represent nearly one-fifth of all new leprosy cases in the U.S. “Florida reported eight cases of leprosy in 2022,” said Ashley Thomas, spokesperson for the Hernando County Health Department. “To date, Florida has reported 16 cases this year.” Most of Florida’s recently confirmed cases of the disease occurred in Brevard County, the letter said.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC), some armadillos, including Nine-banded armadillos, are naturally infected with the disease that causes Hansen’s Disease, and though the risk is very low, most people who come into contact with the animals are unlikely to get the disease. “Nine-banded armadillos are primarily nocturnal burrowers who spend most of their day in the cooler air underground and come out at night to forage on insects,” said FWC Spokesperson Lisa Thompson.

Even so, the CDC recommends that people avoid contact with armadillos whenever possible. Those who have had contact with an armadillo and are worried about getting Hansen’s disease are advised to talk with their doctors, who will follow up over time to see if they develop the disease.

Meanwhile, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) continues to monitor cases of leprosy reported throughout the state. “The Department encourages Floridians to continue practicing proper sanitary measures, and they should remain vigilant for its signs and symptoms,” Thomas said. “If an individual suspects infection, he or she should seek medical attention immediately.”

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — After a grueling evening, night and morning of searching, the search for a missing 2-year-old Florida boy is over. Joshua "JJ" Rowland has been found safe, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

"I got to admit, I'm a little emotional because I thought, surely, we were going to have bad news," Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. "It is a good day in Hernando County. Just a very good day."

Rowland had been at the center of a statewide Missing Child Alert after he was reported missing around noon Thursday from his north Brooksville home by his mother. By 6 p.m. Thursday, the statewide Missing Child Alert was activated and a full-blown search was underway.

"When a two-year-old is missing, everyone comes out [to search]," the sheriff said during a Friday morning news conference.

Credit: 10 Tampa Bay

A map showing where Joshua "JJ" Rowland was reported missing Thursday and the approximate area where he was found Friday morning.

Nienhuis said Rowland was found by volunteers south of Parrott Middle School and east of Cobb Road. Roy Link, who said he was a former Marine and retired Hernando County parks department employee, was the man who found Rowland and carried him to safety.

Link said he crossed a field and came up to some woods, listening intently during his search for the toddler. He said he heard "whimpering" and just knew it had to be Rowland.

"I listened good and I heard like a whimpering kind of noise and at that point, I was like, there's no kids here, it's gotta be JJ," Link said. "And sure enough, I went in the woods, [about] 100 feet from where I was at.

"I think he was in some stickers, but he was happy to see me. He put his arms, his hands up...he was real happy and he wanted mom. He started hollering for mom."

The toddler appears to be doing fine, the sheriff said, but he is still being taken to the hospital by his parents out of an abundance of caution.

He added Rowland was "very resourceful" to get that far in that dense of woods. "It is very surprising that he made it that far in bare feet and pajamas."

Nienhuis earlier stated there were a lot of volunteers, and between 75-100 law enforcement officers joined to search the area — one that is full of high grass, bushes, thick woods, ponds and other bodies of water.

Ultimately, More than 500 volunteers ended up assisting in the search — so many that at 10 a.m. Friday, the sheriff's office said no more volunteers were necessary.

To help streamline the search, volunteers were asked to download the app "Map My Tracks" to record their paths and then email that to findjj@hernandosheriff.org.

Volunteers were also asked to distribute flyers of Rowland to local businesses to help widen awareness about the missing child.

It's believed the toddler left home Thursday in the area of Cheever and Yontz roads while the parent was asleep, according to the sheriff's office.

During a news conference Thursday evening, Nienhuis explained that Rowland was reported missing just before noon. A witness reportedly saw the toddler playing with dogs in his front yard at around 10:40 a.m.

Nienhuis says a relative dropped off the toddler, who was sleeping at the time, at the house around 9:45 a.m. His caregiver was still sleeping at the time, too.

When Rowland's mother woke up from a nap, he was already gone.

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Nienhuis said Rowland's family has been cooperative with the search and investigation. The boy's parents were not part of the search, he added, and instead were staying at a command center where they remained in constant contact with law enforcement.

Since the search began, authorities have used various techniques to assist — including drones and helicopters equipped with infrared tech. A dive team, K-9 and mounted units were also called to the scene starting Friday morning.

Search for missing Florida toddler enters second day

West Central Florida county health departments are urging residents to take necessary precautions and follow safety measures during the current heat advisory. With temperatures soaring and heat indexes reaching dangerous levels, it is important to prioritize the well-being of individuals and communities.

West Central Florida county health departments include those serving Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Sarasota counties.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory forecasting high temperatures and humidity that pose health risks. County health departments recognize the importance of raising awareness and promoting measures to ensure the safety of residents during extreme weather conditions.

During this heat advisory, county health departments recommend the following safety measures to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies:

Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and avoid excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, as they can lead to dehydration.

Stay cool. Avoid direct sunlight and long exposure to the sun. Spend time in air-conditioned environments. If you do not have access to air conditioning, consider visiting public buildings or public spaces with shade. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, and light-colored clothing to help your body regulate its temperature. Protect your head and face with a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen to prevent sunburn. Minimize outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. If you must be outside, take frequent breaks in shaded areas and avoid strenuous physical exertion.

Check on vulnerable individuals. Keep an eye on elderly neighbors, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, as they are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses. Ensure they have access to a cool environment and sufficient hydration.

Never leave children, vulnerable individuals, or pets unattended in vehicle. Temperatures inside a parked car can rise rapidly, even with the windows slightly open, and can be life-threatening.

County health departments urge everyone to remain vigilant and look out for one another during this heat advisory. By following these safety measures, we can collectively reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses and emergencies.

Stay informed about the heat advisory by following the National Weather Service or your local news. For further information about heat related health issues, please visit www.floridahealth.gov .

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About the Florida Department of Health

The Department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health, please visit www.floridahealth.gov .

Track Covid-19 in Hernando County: Latest Data and Maps - The New York Times

An updated vaccine is recommended for adults and most children. Statewide, 1% of vaccinations did not specify a home county.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: The hospitals map shows the average I.C.U. occupancy at nearby hospitals in the most recent week with data reported. The data is self-reported to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by individual hospitals. It excludes counts from hospitals operated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the Indian Health Service. Numbers for hospitalized patients are based on inpatient beds and include I.C.U. beds. Hospitalized Covid-19 patients include both confirmed and suspected Covid-19 patients. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023.

How trends have changed in Hernando County

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Notes: Weekly county death data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. Hospitalization data is a weekly average of Covid-19 patients in hospital service areas that intersect with Hernando County. Hospitalization numbers early in the pandemic are undercounts due to incomplete reporting by hospitals to the federal government.

Historical trends in Hernando County

The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The data in these charts has been archived and they are no longer being updated. Weekly county case data prior to Jan. 2021 was not reported by the C.D.C. and is sourced from reporting by The New York Times. The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on cases in May 2023. Test positivity data is based only on test results reported to the federal government and is a seven-day average.

Data on this page is reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Population and demographic data is from the U.S. Census Bureau. Hospitalization data is reported by individual hospitals to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and it includes confirmed and suspected adult and pediatric patients. The C.D.C. does not provide complete vaccinations data for some counties and caps its vaccination rate figures at 95 percent.

The C.D.C. may make historical updates as more data is reported.

The C.D.C. stopped reporting data on Covid cases in May 2023.

SPRING HILL, Fla. - A Hernando County teacher has been removed from classrooms while school district officials said they continue to investigate "concerning comments" she made.

In a letter to parents, Hernando County Schools Superintendent John Stratton said the decision came after more information on the incident was released by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

"In light of this additional information, the school district will continue to investigate the incident and require further involvement by mental health experts," Stratton said in the letter, which was sent out to parents Thursday.

RELATED: Guns confiscated from home of Hernando teacher who said she ‘wanted to shoot some students’: HCSO report

The sheriff's office's incident report was recently obtained by the group Moms for Liberty and detailed the incident that happened back on March 24 at Fox Chapel Middle School.

It said that guns were confiscated from the teacher's home. The sheriff's office confirmed to FOX 13 that a judge had also granted a risk protection order in the case.

The incident report stated that the teacher told the assistant principal at Fox Chapel Middle that she was "having bad thoughts" and "wanted to shoot some students."

The teacher had told the guidance counselor she was upset, because she "learned about a social media post where people were talking negatively about her sexual orientation." She also told the counselor she "has suicidal thoughts" and "three handguns at home" and that she "wanted to shoot some students due to them not performing to their ability."

PREVIOUS: Hernando County parents want teacher fired over undisclosed ‘concerning comments’

Related: Teacher investigated over ‘concerning comments’ about students

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The report went on to say after the teacher made the comments about wanting to shoot students she "immediately stated she would never harm a student" and "stated that she does not want to harm herself."

The superintendent's letter to parents said they will be taking a hard look at the actions taken that day, in the days following the incident and determine if any steps were missed. The district has not set a date for her return, but they did say she is cooperating fully with the investigation.

Before the report was released, furious parents showed up to Tuesday evening's school board meeting to voice their concerns with the school district. At the meeting, Stratton didn't tell parents what the teacher said that was found concerning, which led to several heated moments.

"I can't share all the facts with you, but I can tell you I respect the sheriff's department and his team and I respect my team and both of those groups who do this all the time I'll remind you determined there was not an imminent threat," Stratton said during the meeting.

The district had said the teacher was cleared to return to the classroom a few days prior to school board meeting. School officials called in the sheriff's office, and they said they were told the comments didn't rise to an imminent threat.

READ THE FULL SUPERINTENDENT'S LETTER SENT TO PARENTS