Science News: Leprosy lurks in armadillos in Brazil’s Amazon
Brazilians who hunt or eat armadillos are at a higher risk of catching leprosy than people who don’t interact with the animals, a new study finds.
Brazilians who hunt or eat armadillos are at a higher risk of catching leprosy than people who don’t interact with the animals, a new study finds.
“Armadillos are kind of a delicacy—think about it like lobster,” says John Spencer, an immunologist who has researched leprosy for years at Colorado State University and led the study.
“In general, I think that people are treating animals more and more like family and impart their own values, beliefs, ethics and life experiences into the treatment of their animal and seek treatments, diets and practices that are helpful to them.” -Dr. Jennifer Schissler
The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) presented Dr. Tim Holt, Fort Collins, Colorado, the BIF Pioneer Award June 21 during the group’s annual meeting and symposium.