Rabies is a severe viral disease that targets the central nervous system, causing inflammation of the brain and spinal cord in mammals. Once outward signs appear, the infection is almost always fatal if medical care is not received promptly. The virus spreads primarily through the saliva of an infected animal, typically entering a new host through a bite or scratch. A common public health concern involves the potential for transmission from wildlife, such as squirrels.
The Low Risk of Rabies in Squirrels
Public health organizations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state that squirrels are rarely found to be rabid and are generally not considered carriers of the rabies virus. Documented cases of rabies in squirrels are exceptionally infrequent in the United States, significantly lowering the risk of transmission to humans. For example, a surveillance study covering a 16-year period found that out of nearly 22,000 squirrels tested for rabies, only nine were positive (a 0.04% positivity rate). This low incidence is consistent across decades of testing; experts have never implicated a squirrel as the cause of a human rabies infection in the U.S. While all warm-blooded mammals are susceptible, squirrels do not act as natural reservoirs for the disease. Bites from small rodents like squirrels, rats, and mice almost never warrant post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for rabies.
Factors That Limit Rabies Transmission
The rarity of rabies in squirrels relates to their size and their interactions with high-risk carriers. Rabies is primarily maintained in wild populations by animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks, and foxes, which are the main reservoirs of the virus in North America. For a squirrel to contract rabies, it must be bitten by one of these infected animals and the virus must be successfully transmitted through the saliva.
Squirrels and other small rodents are unlikely to survive an attack from a larger, rabid animal long enough for the virus to incubate. The injuries sustained during such an encounter often result in the rodent’s death well before the virus reaches the high concentrations in the salivary glands necessary for transmission. This makes them a “terminal vector,” meaning they die quickly after infection and do not live to spread the disease.
High-risk animals possess physiological or behavioral traits that allow the virus to circulate effectively. Bats can harbor the virus and shed it intermittently for longer periods, while mesocarnivores like raccoons and skunks are more likely to survive a fight and develop the aggressive form of the disease. Squirrel behavior, which is typically solitary and arboreal, also minimizes contact with terrestrial high-risk carriers, further reducing exposure.
What to Do After a Squirrel Bite
Despite the low risk of rabies, any bite that breaks the skin from a wild animal should be taken seriously due to the potential for bacterial infection and other health concerns. The first and most immediate step is to thoroughly wash the wound with soap and running water for several minutes. This irrigation is important for mechanically removing any potential contaminants and reducing the risk of infection.
After immediate first aid, contact a healthcare provider and your local public health department immediately. These professionals will assess the specific circumstances of the bite, including the animal’s behavior and the prevalence of rabies in your geographic area. The health department uses this information to determine the level of risk and if any further medical treatment is necessary.
Post-exposure prophylaxis is rarely administered for squirrel bites, but the decision is made on a case-by-case basis following a risk assessment. The primary focus of medical consultation will often be on preventing bacterial infections, with treatments like tetanus prophylaxis and antibiotics considered as necessary. If the squirrel was acting unusually aggressive or sick before the bite, that information is particularly relevant to the health officials making the final determination.