If you see one on the side of the road, or if one happens to wander into your backyard, it is best to leave it alone or call your local wildlife control office. So the chances of you coming into contact with leprosy pathogen from the animal are very low.īut this doesn’t mean that you should handle armadillos without gloves. The bacteria is also what experts call a “wimp of a pathogen” due to its fragility, it can’t survive outside of its host for more than a few hours. In addition, the pathogen that causes leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, can only live in the goldilocks temperature inside the gut of an armadillo or a human. This is because at least 95% of the human population has a natural immunity to leprosy. How Common Is It to Get Leprosy from an Armadillo? So if you do come into contact with an armadillo, it’s important to wash your hands thoroughly and see a doctor if you develop any symptoms of leprosy. However, armadillos are found in the South East, ranging from West Texas, up as far north as Nebraska, and stretching all they way to the East Coast. In the U.S., there are only about 150 to 250 cases of human infections reported each year. In fact, there have only been a handful of cases reported in the United States of people catching leprosy from nine-banded armadillos. However, the risk of catching leprosy from an armadillo is low. The short answer is yes, you can catch leprosy from an armadillo. This is why armadillos are such an important part of the leprosy cycle. The pathogen that causes leprosy, Mycobacterium leprae, is unique in that it can only reproduce inside of a living animal. Scientists believe that armadillos become infected with leprosy after coming into contact with contaminated soil. ![]() In fact, armadillos are the primary source of leprosy infections in the United States. Leprosy in ArmadillosĪrmadillos are the only other mammal besides humans that can carry leprosy. The good news is that leprosy is not very contagious. Leprosy is spread through close contact with an infected individual, usually through contact with respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus. It’s a disease that is as old as mankind, and it’s thought to have originated in Asia or Africa. Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that can cause skin lesions, nerve damage, and blindness. But can you actually catch leprosy from an armadillo? What is Leprosy? While they may seem harmless, armadillos are actually one of the two mammals that can carry leprosy. Armadillos are small, armored animals that can be found throughout the South-Eastern United States. ![]() You may have seen them on the side of the road, or even in your backyard.
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