Scientific publications or statements from research institutions conducting genetic analysis on current squirrel populations.

Current Biology Study: Red Squirrels Linked to Medieval England Leprosy

May 3, 2024, 06:18 PM

Recent studies published in Current Biology have revealed that red squirrels were a significant vector for the transmission of leprosy in medieval England. Genetic analysis of squirrel bones dating back to that era showed that these animals carried a strain of Mycobacterium leprae, the bacterium responsible for leprosy, which was strikingly similar to the strain found in humans at the time. This discovery highlights one of the earliest known instances of a disease being transmitted between animals and humans, underscoring the close interactions between people and squirrels during medieval times, including sharing living spaces and food. Katherine J. Wu and Tom Bawden reported on these findings.