Armadillos Can Carry Leprosy
Armadillos are one of the few animals that can carry leprosy, and they're responsible for most human cases in the United States.
About this fact
Nine-banded armadillos are natural carriers of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy (Hansen's disease). They can carry and transmit the disease to humans through direct contact with infected animals or consumption of undercooked armadillo meat. About 15-20% of armadillos in the southern United States are infected with leprosy. The disease thrives in armadillos because their low body temperature (around 89Β°F) provides ideal conditions for the bacteria to multiply. While leprosy is rare and treatable today, armadillos are responsible for about 150-250 cases annually in the U.S., mostly in Texas and Louisiana.