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Leprosy in the wild
New research shows that chimpanzees can catch leprosy, write ROX MIDDLETON, LIAM SHAW and JOEL HELLEWELL
New research shows that chimpanzees can be susceptible to leprosy

IN THE current coronavirus pandemic it’s easy to forget that other diseases still persist, yet even with the disruptions of working from home and fluctuating lockdowns, scientists are still working on new research. 

In the last week a team of researchers from across the world reported the first ever recorded cases of leprosy in wild chimpanzees.

Wild chimpanzees have now conclusively joined a short but diverse list of animals that are known to be affected by forms of leprosy, including nine-banded armadillos and red squirrels. 

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