LEPROSY ON THE UPTICK IN FLORIDA. THANKS, ARMADILLOS

Cases of leprosy are on the rise in Florida. Authorities are blaming armadillos. Nine cases of the disease have been reported across Florida so far this year. On average, the state only sees 10 cases for the entire year. Armadillos are the only animal to carry leprosy, an age-old bacterial disease that affects the skin and nerves. Armadillos are very common all over Florida, and most of them live in the woods. But others could live near homes. Wildlife trapper Kyle Waltz says he catches more armadillos than any other species. He says they can be dangerous, “Especially if they’re trying to get out of a cage. They can spit on you,” Waltz said.
* Much like Courtney Love.
* Time for people in Florida to stop cuddling with armadillos.
* If armadillos carry leprosy, how come pieces of them don’t keep falling off?
* What’s worse, leprosy from an armadillo, or a shark attack? Let’s open the phones.
* There were a lot of things I was worried about coming into work today. But leprosy in Florida was not one of them.
* “Grampa, didn’t you used to have TWO ears?”
* My God, Florida’s even wacky with the serious stuff.
* I feel like such an idiot. Here I’ve been focused on Florida’s problem with the Burmese pythons.
* The armadillos. Of course! I forget to freak out about the armadillos.
* Can’t we just put a big net over this whole crazy state?