If you’re an avid reader of the “Talk Clean To Me” blog
you’ll have noticed over the last several months we’ve chatted about the
concept of One
Health and zoonotic
diseases . If you’re not as avid a
reader, zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be passed between animals
and humans and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Unfortunately, zoonotic diseases are
not rare; in fact, scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases
in humans are spread from animals.
you’ll have noticed over the last several months we’ve chatted about the
concept of One
Health and zoonotic
diseases . If you’re not as avid a
reader, zoonotic diseases are diseases that can be passed between animals
and humans and can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Unfortunately, zoonotic diseases are
not rare; in fact, scientists estimate that more than 6 out of every 10 infectious diseases
in humans are spread from animals.
While >60% of infectious diseases point directly to
animals, I admit, I was thinking of chickens, pigs, primates and rodents as the
primary causes. Who knew Armadillos were
just as concerning! While Armadillos are
not perhaps the cuddliest of creatures, you can’t help but want to touch them
and if you haven’t had the opportunity, Armadillo racing is
pretty fun!
animals, I admit, I was thinking of chickens, pigs, primates and rodents as the
primary causes. Who knew Armadillos were
just as concerning! While Armadillos are
not perhaps the cuddliest of creatures, you can’t help but want to touch them
and if you haven’t had the opportunity, Armadillo racing is
pretty fun!
If you haven’t seen the headlines, Florida health officials
are warning Floridians to stay away from
Armadillos after 9 people have become infected with leprosy after coming
into contact with these leather armored creatures. Leprosy is not new. It’s a century old bacterial infection caused
by Mycobacterium leprae. Also known as Hansen’s disease, it causes
nerve damage and disfigurement. While it
mainly affects the skin and nerves, it can also affect the upper respiratory
tract and eyes.
are warning Floridians to stay away from
Armadillos after 9 people have become infected with leprosy after coming
into contact with these leather armored creatures. Leprosy is not new. It’s a century old bacterial infection caused
by Mycobacterium leprae. Also known as Hansen’s disease, it causes
nerve damage and disfigurement. While it
mainly affects the skin and nerves, it can also affect the upper respiratory
tract and eyes.
The bacterium that causes Leprosy can be found in humans and feral
armadillos found in Louisiana and Texas and while not native to Florida, it
would appear that the armadillos that have made their way to that state are
also carriers of the bacteria. As a
disease, Leprosy is not highly contagious and while it has been around for
eons, we are still not exactly certain how it is transmitted, but believe that
prolonged direct contact with infectious nasal discharge, skin secretions and
of course respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes can lead to transmission.
I’m sure no one is wittingly cuddling a
snotty nosed armadillo, but chances are transmission is occurring if or when
the perturbed creature spits on someone.
armadillos found in Louisiana and Texas and while not native to Florida, it
would appear that the armadillos that have made their way to that state are
also carriers of the bacteria. As a
disease, Leprosy is not highly contagious and while it has been around for
eons, we are still not exactly certain how it is transmitted, but believe that
prolonged direct contact with infectious nasal discharge, skin secretions and
of course respiratory droplets from coughs or sneezes can lead to transmission.
I’m sure no one is wittingly cuddling a
snotty nosed armadillo, but chances are transmission is occurring if or when
the perturbed creature spits on someone.
Perhaps most concerning point with Leprosy is that the
bacteria can lie dormant for years and has been shown to take up to a decade
for symptoms to appear! The upside is
that 95% of the human population is not susceptible to Leprosy meaning that
only about 100 new cases of Leprosy are confirmed each year in the US, so while
this current outbreak is interesting, the chances of catching it are slim!
bacteria can lie dormant for years and has been shown to take up to a decade
for symptoms to appear! The upside is
that 95% of the human population is not susceptible to Leprosy meaning that
only about 100 new cases of Leprosy are confirmed each year in the US, so while
this current outbreak is interesting, the chances of catching it are slim!
I wonder what the next zoonotic outbreak will be!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
