Can Squirrels Give Humans Diseases?

November 9, 2021

Can Squirrels Give Humans Diseases? What’s vital to know

Can squirrels give humans diseases should be a question you want answers to if you have squirrels around?

Squirrels are one of the most common animals we see on a daily basis. They jump around, climbing trees and gathering nuts. But, is there more going on with squirrels than what meets the eye? And can squirrels be a problem for your health?

Read on to learn: can squirrels give humans diseases?

Are Squirrels Harmful to Humans?

While squirrels can be cute and cuddly-looking, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Essentially, the answer is yes. Squirrels are harmful to humans, and they can transmit different diseases to people.

So, you need to be careful about the risks if you’re getting particularly close to squirrels. If you work in parks or other places squirrels tend to hang out, you may want to look into personal protective equipment to prevent diseases from spreading to you.

Diseases Squirrels Carry and Transmit

There are multiple diseases that squirrels can carry and transmit to humans or to other animals. You’re probably aware of rabies, but you may not be aware that it can be transmitted to humans by squirrels. So, it’s important to get the proper medical care if you are bit by a squirrel.

Once you start presenting severe symptoms of rabies, it’s difficult or impossible to treat. So, get to a hospital immediately.

The bacteria leptospirosis is also spread by squirrels and can be transmitted to humans. If you’re exposed to squirrel waste, you may risk exposure to salmonellosis, which can cause severe gastrointestinal problems in humans.

Many of the diseases we can get from squirrels are transmitted by ticks, which is why they’re more commonly associated with animals like deer, rats, or mice. But, that doesn’t mean that humans aren’t vulnerable when we spend too much time around squirrels.

Lyme Disease, which is transmissible via ticks, can spread from squirrels through ticks embedded in their fur. Lyme Disease can be difficult to diagnose unless you present with the bullseye patterned rash that sets the disease apart from others. Tularemia can also be spread by ticks that may be stuck to squirrels, or by a squirrel that has already been infected by tularemia.

These are just a few of the many diseases humans can get from squirrels. Other diseases that squirrels can pass on to humans include ringworm, typhus, ringworm, and even the plague.

If you’re worried about the possibility of getting diseases from squirrels, there are options for you. Squirrel removal services are available to you. Limit your contact with squirrels as much as you possibly can, which will also limit your possible exposure to diseases that squirrels can pass on.