Leprosy bacteria can survive in soil
Leprosy bacteria cannot survive on its own. It must live inside of a ‘host’ or even in the best conditions, it will die within a few days. The smallest host a leprosy bacteria could infect is an amoeba and American researchers have demonstrated that common soil amoeba found worldwide could host leprosy bacteria and keep it alive for months in a lab.
This means it can be possible to contract leprosy through exposure to dust and dirt in the air above soil that is infected by leprosy. It is also possible to contract leprosy if an open wound comes in contact with that soil.
https://www.leprosymission.org/blog/...-transmission/
Florida man gets unexplained leprosy case; doctors suspect local soil
https://arstechnica.com/health/2023/...ct-local-soil/