We recently reported higher period prevalence rates of pulmonary NTM in Puerto Rico, Florida (FL), and the District of Columbia. The cause of this rise in some of the states can be attributed to favorable environmental conditions which promotes the survival of mycobacterium. The prevalence of pulmonary NTM disease varies regionally, with higher rates in coastal areas. In recent years, the incidence of pulmonary NTM disease has gradually increased in the United States (U.S.) up to 8% each year. Pre-existing lung diseases (bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and asthma), immunocompromised conditions, and certain genetic disorders, increase human susceptibility to NTM related disease. Mycobacteria are commonly found in water or moist soil environments. Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are gram-positive, environmental bacteria that cause opportunistic infections in humans. A higher prevalence was seen following the hurricanes. The current study found the prevalence rates of NTM disease in FL rose from 2012 to 2018. High number of the hurricanes was associated with the higher number of the new cases of NTM infection for years 2012, 2016–2018, while the lower number of the hurricanes was associated with the lower number of the new cases of NTM infection for years 2014–2015. Notably, the 2018 heat map showed higher prevalence of NTM in the northwestern, panhandle region of FL which had been absent in the heat maps for years 2012–2018. Geographical analysis demonstrated a gradual expansion of the NTM cases in Alachua, and Marion Counties throughout the study period. Prevalence of NTM gradually increased during the study period. The number of hurricanes during the study period which affected FL were extracted data from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). We used OneFlorida Clinical Research Consortium dataset and extracted data on NTM cases using ICD codes 9- CM 031.0 and ICD-10 A31 during 2012–2018. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiological distribution of NTM in FL and identify its association with extreme weather events. Little is known about the impact of the ecosystem disruption and its contribution on the non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM) diseases (cases) rate in Florida (FL), a state with a high prevalence of NTM in the United States.
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