Spike in leprosy cases point to armadillos

The question you have to ask is why would anyone want to touch an armadillo in the first place?

But there's a very good reason to avoid the odd-looking armored mammals completely.

Your health.

Florida health officials report a spike in cases of leprosy, the dreaded disease that causes skin and nerve damage.

As few as two cases a year are reported in Florida.

But there have been nine new cases so far this year and every one had direct contact with armadillos.

Armadillos are one of the few animals to be natural carriers of the leprosy bacteria.

So when it comes to armadillos, Florida health officials say it's better to be safe than sorry.