Diseases contracted to humans

[TamiKakes]

Just curious as the risk/chance of humans getting a disease from a (seemingly) healthy baby squirrel?
From what I have read, it's pretty slim.
However, my brother and sister in law just had a baby yesterday morning and I was informed I am not to come to the hospital, or to thier house, to see the baby til I get cleared by a dr. That I am okay.
I understand thier concern, but I am curious as to the actual risk that could be cause or any information that I could actual send to educate them, as I know most people are pretty ignorant to the who thing

[stepnstone]

Just curious as the risk/chance of humans getting a disease from a (seemingly) healthy baby squirrel?
From what I have read, it's pretty slim.
However, my brother and sister in law just had a baby yesterday morning and I was informed I am not to come to the hospital, or to thier house, to see the baby til I get cleared by a dr. That I am okay.
I understand thier concern, but I am curious as to the actual risk that could be cause or any information that I could actual send to educate them, as I know most people are pretty ignorant to the who thing

Ignorance... they just have to be "new parents" yes??
They have more of a chance the baby contacts a germ from the hospital
then from you handling a squirrel.... :shakehead

[Javarat]

My experience is that the parents of a newborn make ridiculous requirements, and we have to humor them.
I have not heard of any diseases carried by squirrels (except in extremely rare occasions) that could harm a human, or baby.
But even if we send you links to websites that say that... the parents will probably not believe it.
Sounds like if you really want to see the baby (why???... it doesn't even have fur yet!) you could talk a doctor into a note.
However, I would make similar requirements that they cannot visit your baby squirrel unless they first have the baby checked by a veterinarian.

[TubeDriver]

There actually are zoonotic diseases that can be carried by squirrels (more ground than tree) including Leptospirosis, Plague, Tularimia, etc etc. But this is NOT common at all. Anyone who works with wildlife should always take basic precautions like handwashing, separating animal gear/food/bedding etc from personal possessions etc.

You are MUCH more likely to have a disease that you got from another human than a squirrel.

Wait till your friends have their second baby, they will probably pay you to babysit that kid even if they know you will place the kid in a squirrel cage!:grin2

[TamiKakes]

There actually are zoonotic diseases that can be carried by squirrels (more ground than tree) including Leptospirosis, Plague, Tularimia, etc etc. But this is NOT common at all. Anyone who works with wildlife should always take basic precautions like handwashing, separating animal gear/food/bedding etc from personal possessions etc.

You are MUCH more likely to have a disease that you got from another human than a squirrel.

Wait till your friends have their second baby, they will probably pay you to babysit that kid even if they know you will place the kid in a squirrel cage!:grin2

This is thier 5th. My sister in law is just a prissy drama queen. I'm really not close with my family anyway but It just irks me

[stepnstone]

My experience is that the parents of a newborn make ridiculous requirements, and we have to humor them.
I have not heard of any diseases carried by squirrels (except in extremely rare occasions) that could harm a human, or baby.
But even if we send you links to websites that say that... the parents will probably not believe it.
Sounds like if you really want to see the baby (why???... it doesn't even have fur yet!) you could talk a doctor into a note.
However, I would make similar requirements that they cannot visit your baby squirrel unless they first have the baby checked by a veterinarian.
:goodpost :rotfl


This is thier 5th. My sister in law is just a prissy drama queen. I'm really not close with my family anyway but It just irks me
Poor kids... if they are raised in such a paranoid sterile environment they will most likely have issues with all kinds of allergy's
and catch everything that comes down the line. Of course they will blame everyone and everything except themselves. :shakehead

[cava]

I'd be WAY more concerned about the human diseases they could get. Most babies are carrying herpes virus by the age of 5 by adults kissing their faces all of the time.

People who don't do animals don't "get" animals.

[island rehabber]

stepnstone and javarat, I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!! :rofl4 :dance :w00t :bowdown :grin3

[Sottinger]

Thank you all for the laughs on this one! 🤣 I can tell you I did a ton of reading on the subject in the first two days of receiving my little guy. My Papa had raised them so I’d been bit plenty as a child but still wanted to see any latest evidence that may be out there. My number one was rabies since it’s incurable and I learned that there has never been a known documented case of a rabid squirrel infecting a human, at least according to the state of Florida’s official wildlife website. And further by raising him these last six weeks I find him to be as clean or cleaner than any other animal I’ve had. He peed on me as a baby of course, but he will relocate now to pee and poop. I read I should wash his bedding weekly and have, but never is it dirty now. Just full of shredded tissues. I wish my kids kept their surroundings as clean as Nibbles!

Enjoy your squirrel and let the silly minded people be just that. ❤️🐿