Armadillos spreading leprosy

[jjenny]

Sorry, Jenny, the quote wasn't from the first link. It's from paragraph 13 of the link in post #9 by LivLaughLuv:



You can see why I was confused by a disease that is carried in saliva but not transmitted through sexual intercourse. Maybe they were just trying to say the bacteria isn't present in semen, but if so, they should have said that.

Since it's unclear exactly how it is transmitted, how would they know that it can not be transmitted through sexual contact or shaking of hands? I also doubt the idea that it is transmitted through saliva. Clearly armadillos aren't transmitting it through saliva, cause I doubt people are going around kissing them.

 

[Jan]

The last time we took a trip to Texas, I said I wasn't going home until I saw an armadillo. I had never seen a wild one, only ones in zoos. Well, the only ones I managed to see in Texas were ones that got killed by cars! Then my daughter told me they only come out at night (and I don't). I was surprised though when I read that they can give a person leprosy. I wonder if zoos test their armadillos for leprosy? I think they are cute critters. I didn't even know that anyone in the US gets leprosy anymore.

 

[jjenny]

The last time we took a trip to Texas, I said I wasn't going home until I saw an armadillo. I had never seen a wild one, only ones in zoos. Well, the only ones I managed to see in Texas were ones that got killed by cars! Then my daughter told me they only come out at night (and I don't). I was surprised though when I read that they can give a person leprosy. I wonder if zoos test their armadillos for leprosy? I think they are cute critters. I didn't even know that anyone in the US gets leprosy anymore.

According to the OP article, about 150 per year in the US get infected with leprosy.

 

[Nova]

Since it's unclear exactly how it is transmitted, how would they know that it can not be transmitted through sexual contact or shaking of hands? I also doubt the idea that it is transmitted through saliva. Clearly armadillos aren't transmitting it through saliva, cause I doubt people are going around kissing them.

Don't get me started on the quality of science journalism in this country!

I assume people aren't French kissing armadillos, but if the bacteria is carried in saliva, it could get on people's skin when they handle the animals. Perhaps the bacteria lodges wherever there is a break (even a tiny one) in the skin, somewhat similar to the way warts can be transmitted.

 

[STEADFAST]

Around here in the Ozarks, you can walk out the door at night and might see an armadillo in the yard. They aren't the least bit aggressive and run off when they notice you. They do huge damage to lawns.

I try to think they are cute, but their looks repulse me. I've got the same problem trying to think of possums as cute. Racoons have much worse personalities and yet I find them very appealing. Sigh. Story of my life.

 

[Gozgals]

Leprosy & Armadillos
Snip
They are particularly susceptible due to their unusually low body temperature, which is hospitable to the leprosy bacterium, Mycobacterium leprae. (The leprosy bacterium is difficult to culture and armadillos have a body temperature of 34 °C, similar to human skin.) Humans can acquire a leprosy infection from armadillos by handling them or consuming armadillo meat, and are a presumed vector and natural reservoir for the disease in Texas and Louisiana.[9] Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the late 15th century, leprosy was unknown in the New World. Given that armadillos are native to the New World, at some point they acquired the disease from humans. "Armadillos Can Transmit Leprosy to Humans, Federal Studies Confirm". The New York Times. 27 April 2011. Truman, Richard W. (April 2011). "Probable Zoonotic Leprosy in the Southern United States". The New England Journal of Medicine 364: 1626
Snip

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillo

I was just wondering why this Andrew Zimmerman from the Bizzare Foods ate armadillo if they can transmit leprosy? I know he will eat anything....:crazy:

 

[Velouria]

Thanks Goz!

I can say with much certainty that avoiding armadillos and in particular, avoiding EATING them is not something I will have a problem with!

 

[Nova]

Around here in the Ozarks, you can walk out the door at night and might see an armadillo in the yard. They aren't the least bit aggressive and run off when they notice you. They do huge damage to lawns.

I try to think they are cute, but their looks repulse me. I've got the same problem trying to think of possums as cute. Racoons have much worse personalities and yet I find them very appealing. Sigh. Story of my life.

Possums look like large rats. Armadillos look like large rats with shells.

Here in the desert, raccoons are very dangerous, especially to pets. Please be careful!