New study suggests leprosy came from Europe

Skeletal analysis shows the oldest strains of the disease came from Europe, the oldest from Greater Chesterford, Essex circa 500AD

Leprosy may have originated in Europe rather than Asia, according to the largest study to date on ancestral strains of the disease.

The study has revealed that more leprosy strains than expected were present in medieval Europe, prompting scientists to reconsider the origins and age of the devastating disease.