blame the squirrels

This Medieval CSI suggests an outbreak Leprosy in England during the dark ages might have been because of eating squirrel meat or wearing their pelts.

https://www.logsdirect.co.uk/red-squirrel-donation.html

Apparently, the red squirrel can indeed carry the disease.

In the study, the researchers conducted genetic screening and blood tests on more than 100 red-squirrel cadavers from England, Ireland and Scotland. These red squirrels, of the species Sciurus vulgaris, arefound throughout Eurasia. [6 Strange Facts About Leprosy]

They found that all 25 red squirrels from England's Brownsea Island were infected with the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which is the oldest pathogen associated with leprosy and was responsible for outbreaks of the disease in medieval Europe, according to the findings, published today (Nov. 10) in the journal Science.

of course, in recent years, the red squirrel have been decreasing in number, partly due to habitat loss but mainly being replaced by the imported grey squirrel.

so far there has been no evidence of these grey squirrels carrying the disease.

however, every year a few cases are caught from the lowly armadillo.