Do Squirrels Carry Disease?

Squirrels playful cute rodents are common sight for everyone. They live in trees wooden logs other natural habitats. They are commonly known for their charming appearance quirky entertaining behavior. However squirrels are not just tiny animals that can enhance the natural beauty of our environment; they also pose health risks to humans other animals. In this article we will discuss the possible diseases that squirrels may carry.

What Is Zoonotic Disease?

Zoonotic disease is a type of infectious disease that can be transmitted from animals to humans. You may be aware of the health risks caused by other animals such as cats dogs bats others. But what about squirrels?

Squirrel-Borne Diseases

Squirrels just like other rodents carry various diseases that can be transmitted to humans through bites scratches or exposure to their urine feces saliva. Here are the potential diseases that squirrels may carry:

1. Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that is carried by infected ticks that are commonly found on squirrels white-tailed deer other animals. Squirrels may not have the disease but they can still be carriers of infected ticks that can spread the bacteria to humans.

2. Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through bites from infected ticks fleas that are carried by squirrels. Symptoms of tularemia include fever sore throat muscle pain.

3. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a bacterial disease transmitted by ticks that are carried by squirrels. This disease can cause severe symptoms including fever headache a skin rash.

4. Salmonella

Salmonella is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through exposure to squirrel feces. If you touch or handle the feces then you may contract the bacteria get infected.

5. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with squirrel urine. Even a slight exposure to the urine can lead to infection.

Preventive Measures

You can take some preventive measures to avoid getting infected by squirrel-borne diseases. Some of the important tips are:

• Avoid touching or feeding squirrels.
• Wear gloves masks when cleaning up their feces urine.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after coming into contact with squirrels their feces or urine.
• Keep your pets away from squirrels.

Conclusion

Squirrels are cute animals that have become a part of our environment. However they carry various diseases pose health risks to humans other animals. While it is hard to avoid squirrels completely we can still take preventive measures to reduce the risk of squirrel-borne diseases. By following the above tips we can protect ourselves our pets our environment from the possible diseases that squirrels may carry.