What are the dangers of park squirrels and how to avoid contracting diseases from them
Attempting to pick up a park squirrel can result not only in scratches but also in dangerous infections. Experts remind that one should treat wild animals cautiously and not try to establish direct contact with them, writes the Minsk-News agency.
Some people treat squirrels like pets: they feed them nuts, pick them up, and try to pet them. However, squirrels, like all warm-blooded animals, can carry rabies.
The most common way of infection is a bite, when the animal's saliva gets into a wound. Infection can also occur through scratches or when the animal's biological fluids come into contact with human mucous membranes.
A squirrel's usual reaction to a human's attempt to approach is to flee. And this is a good sign, as one of the main symptoms of rabies is a lack of fear of humans. If you still want to treat a squirrel, it's better to place nuts on the ground near a tree, without attempting to touch the animal.
In Minsk in 2026, no cases of human rabies infection after contact with squirrels were recorded. However, the animals bit and scratched people, and their saliva entered the blood of the victims. People sought medical attention in a timely manner and underwent a course of anti-rabies vaccinations, which prevented infection.
After dangerous contact with an animal, a person may be prescribed six injections. It is very important to start prevention before the onset of clinical symptoms of rabies, because after their appearance, the disease almost always ends in death.
In addition, squirrels can carry other infections, including tularemia. For the development of a severe form of this disease, the entry of just ten bacteria into the body is sufficient. In the most severe cases, the disease can resemble sepsis and be accompanied by a rash, pneumonia, and altered consciousness.
Therefore, experts advise observing animals from a safe distance.
Comments
Дарэчы, з таго часу толькі аднойчы вавёрка патрапіла мне на вочы ў тым парку. Падобна, што яны там зьвяліся, вароны не далі спакойнага жыцьця.