There are several types of Armadillos and it has not been concluded that all types of Armadillos carry leprosy. Instead, it was discovered that the 9 banded Armadillos carry leprosy. At that time it was believed that Armadillos were unlikely to spread the bacteria to humans, mostly in the American South.
Countries that reported more than 1,000 new cases of Hansen’s disease to WHO between 2011 and 2015 are: Africa: Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, United Republic of TanzaniaAsia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri LankaAmericas: Brazil.
My chosen answer is this armored and endemic creature has been said to be the main cause of the disease to people who have actually come into contact with it. The armadillos are able to host leprosy bacillus. This creature has been linked to human leprosy cases officially. Therefore, we can say that armadillos can actually transmit leprosy to people.
Does eating an armadillo lead to leprosy?
To date, around 150-200 Americans have leprosy. Eating the armadillo can cause leprosy, too. Many trappers are hunters are not shy about eating this animal, however, and based on the previous statistics I provided before, you can see why. In any case, keep yourself safe and try not to handle or eat armadillo.
In the southern United States, some armadillos are naturally infected with the bacteria that cause Hansen’s disease in people and it may be possible that they can spread it to people. However, the risk is very low and most people who come into contact with armadillos are unlikely to get Hansen’s disease.
Do armadillos carry leprosy virus?
Besides humans, nine-banded armadillos are the only animals that can carry M. Leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy. Several human cases of the disease linked with the pests have been reported in Texas, though these animals have also tested positive for M. Leprae in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Some armadillos, placental mammals with leathery armor, are naturally infected with leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Armadillos are one of the only known animals to carry leprosy, an age-old disease that causes skin and nerve damage.