Armadillos carry leprosy and can transmit this disease in several ways. Merely by handling the animal, you can contract leprosy. Extra care should be taken when dealing armadillos to prevent contact with the skin from their armor or their feces.
Is it true that armadillos carry leprosy?
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.
Armadillos are known to carry leprosy — in fact, they are the only wild animals other than humans upon which the picky M. Leprae can stand to live — and scientists suspected that these anomalous cases were due to contact with the little armored tootsie rolls.
How does an armadillo give you leprosy?
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.
You may be thinking “How can armadillos spread leprosy?”
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.
How do you catch leprosy from Armadillo?
US dermatologists have noticed that their patients with leprosy have one of these risk factors: Lived in a country where leprosy is more common, such as India, Brazil, China, Indonesia, or parts of Africa. Handled an armadillo. Spent time outdoors in an area where armadillos live.
Did you know that armadillos can give you leprosy?
There is one thing you need to be careful about Armadillos, they are known to be the primary carriers of the bacteria that causes leprosy. So yeah they are very DANGEROUS! It has been found out that 1 in 6 Armadillos in Texas and Louisiana is carriers of the Leprosy causing bacteria.
Moreover, 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.
What are diseases and bacteria do armadillos carry?
While they can host parasitic worms and even rabies on rare occasions, most of the conversation surrounding armadillo diseases is about leprosy. Besides humans, nine-banded armadillos are the only animals that can carry M. Leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy.