Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis from red quirrels

Leprosy, which was once an endemic human disease in the British Isles, stems from infection with Mycobacterium leprae or the recently discovered Mycobacterium lepromatosis. There are increasing reports in the UK of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) presenting with lesions reminiscent of leprosy.M. lepromatosis was found in squirrels from England, Scotland and Ireland whereas a large cluster of squirrels from Brownsea Island, England was infected with M. leprae.