It's not rats: which animals were the largest carriers of leprosy in the Middle Ages

Researchers have found that squirrels likely played a role in the spread of leprosy in England during the Middle Ages, challenging the conventional wisdom that rats were the only carriers of this dangerous disease.

The study, published in the journal Current Biology, is based on DNA analysis of samples found in Winchester, England. Scientists analyzed leprosy strains found in the remains of three people who lived 600-900 years ago, as well as in the bones of squirrels that are 900-1000 years old.

Winchester, where the remains were found, was home to a hospital for lepers at the time, as well as many furriers who processed and sold fur products.

The analysis showed that the leprosy strains in humans and squirrels were very similar, suggesting that the two species could have infected each other.

The scientists caveat that their findings are based on a small sample, and they have yet to conduct additional research to definitively confirm their theory.

Nevertheless, this discovery could have a significant impact on our understanding of how leprosy spread in the past and could help develop new strategies to combat the disease, which is still a problem in some parts of the world.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. It can lead to serious damage to the skin, nerves, and limbs.

Although leprosy can be cured with antibiotics, it is still a serious problem in some countries where access to treatment is limited.

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