The Florida Department of Health has a slight rise in leprosy rates this year, so Floridians are encouraged to take precautionary measures in eschewing contact with Armadillos. It appears the state of Texas needs to mimic this action.
Texas Man Shoots Armadillo, Gets Hit In The Face By Bullet Ricochet
According to the Smithsonian, “Armadillos are the only other animals besides humans to host the leprosy bacillus. In 2011, the New England Journal of Medicine published an article formally linking the creature to human leprosy cases—people and armadillos tested in the study both shared the same exact strain of the disease.” Although annually it effects 250,000 people worldwide, it’s reported it only infects 150 to 250 Americans.
Leprosy is an infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring skin sores and nerve damage in the arms and legs.
Texas officials are saying after the man discovered an armadillo in his backyard, he decided to fire three bullet at the creature. Unfortunately, one of the bullets hit the impregnable armadillo shell, deflecting the bullet and hit the man in his jaw.
The man was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where his jaw was wired shut, according to Cass County Sheriff Larry Rowe.
The status of the animal is unknown as authorities could not locate the armadillo.
SOURCE: REUTERS
