Leprosy Bacteria Discovered in Ancient American Remains, Rewriting History of Disease Arrival

A new study reveals that leprosy existed in the Americas prior to the arrival of European explorers, rewriting history on when the infectious and potentially deadly disease first arrived in the continent. Scientists found evidence of a species of bacteria associated with leprosy that was present in the Americas thousands of years ago. The discovery suggests that indigenous peoples may have been affected by leprosy for centuries before the arrival of outsiders. This new research challenges current understanding of the disease's introduction to the Americas and highlights the complexity of its history.