Middle Age squirrels likely behind leprosy in modern England

Leprosy may have been spread to humans in the Middle Ages by squirrels, as per researchers. After examining bones from red squirrel and human remains from Winchester, southern England, archaeological sites, scientists discovered that the bacterium that caused it was closely linked to both cases, according to BBC. Leprosy is a chronic, contagious disease that affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes in people. Although it hasn't been reported to have been found in the UK in 70 years, it …