Published 15 days ago

Leprosy passed between medieval squirrels and humans, study suggests

Research suggests leprosy may have spread between red squirrels and humans in 10th-11th century England.
Evidence from Winchester's archaeological sites indicates red squirrels were hosts for Mycobacterium leprae, the leprosy-causing bacteria.
Genetic analysis shows M. Leprae was present in both human and squirrel samples, suggesting infection circulation between people and rodents in medieval England.

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BBC News

Squirrels may have given medieval Britons leprosy

It’s the first time a medieval animal has been identified as a host for the disease.

15 days ago·United Kingdom

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The Guardian

Leprosy passed between medieval squirrels and humans, study suggests

Genetic analysis of Winchester samples shows similar strains of disease and supports theory that fur trade played role in spread

15 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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The Independent

Leprosy ‘may have spread between red squirrels and humans in medieval England’

But researchers reassure infected modern red squirrels do not pose a threat to people in the UK.

15 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Evening Standard

Leprosy ‘may have spread between red squirrels and humans in medieval England’

But researchers reassure infected modern red squirrels do not pose a threat to people in the UK.

15 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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The Times

Did red squirrels spread leprosy in medieval England?

Strains of a microbe that causes the disease have been found in human and squirrel remains in Winchester, which was known for its leprosy hospital

15 days ago·London, United Kingdom

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Eurek Alert

In medieval England, leprosy spread between red squirrels and people, genome evidence shows

Evidence from archaeological sites in the medieval English city of Winchester shows that English red squirrels once served as an important host for Mycobacterium leprae strains that caused leprosy in people, researchers report May 3 in the journal Current Biology.

15 days ago·Washington, United States

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