Inmate May Have Leprosy

Authorities are awaiting biopsy results to determine whether a New Jersey State Prison inmate in Trenton has leprosy.

Officials isolated the man and put him on antibiotics.

Leprosy is caused by bacteria that live in nasal passages and can be transmitted by coughing and sneezing.

The Corrections Department expects to get the results of the biopsy from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in a week to 10 days.

Author: NBC10/AP