Ever wondered if a squirrel could actually kill someone? The short answer: deaths directly caused by squirrel attacks are basically unheard of. Squirrels have, however, played a part in rare fatal incidents—usually through accidents or disease.
A squirrel bite almost never kills, but there are related risks. Think rabies, nasty infections, or accidents caused by a startled animal—those can get serious.
Let’s look at how squirrels have sometimes led to injuries, rare infections, and even accidents that ended badly. I’ll share some clear examples of when a squirrel played a role in a dangerous chain of events.
There are also some easy steps you can take to lower your risk.
Stick around to see which situations actually get risky, how squirrel-related diseases might affect you, and what you can do to stay safe around these little troublemakers.
Fatalities and Serious Injuries Linked to Squirrel Attacks
Direct deaths from squirrel attacks are extremely rare. Most of the serious situations involve disease, severe infection, or accidents caused by the animal’s behavior.
Documented Squirrel Attacks on Humans
You can find a few reports of squirrels biting or attacking people and causing harm. In Marin County, for instance, one aggressive squirrel sent several residents to the ER after bites and scratches. Local animal control and Marin Humane showed up to handle warnings and removals.
Bites can bring in bacteria like Pasteurella or cause nasty infections. If a squirrel acts weird, health officials will usually test for rabies, but honestly, squirrels almost never carry it. Wash any bite right away and see a doctor; you might get antibiotics or a rabies shot if there’s any doubt.
Accidents and Indirect Fatalities Involving Squirrels
Squirrels have caused fatal accidents, but not in the way you might think. Drivers sometimes swerve to avoid a squirrel and end up crashing. People have also fallen while chasing or trying to catch a squirrel.
Squirrels sometimes chew through electrical wires, which has led to house fires and power outages—definitely dangerous situations.
When you look at risk, it really depends on the setting. High-speed roads, steep hills, or bad wiring make things riskier than the squirrel itself. Try to avoid feeding or handling wild squirrels, keep your wiring safe, and drive carefully—those simple things can help you avoid a freak accident.
Diseases and Health Risks Associated With Squirrels
Squirrels can bite or scratch, but they also carry parasites and germs that might infect you or your pets. It’s smart to know how rabies works and to pay attention to bacteria, ticks, and fleas that can spread other illnesses.
Potential for Rabies Transmission
Rabies in squirrels is super rare compared to bats, raccoons, or foxes. If a squirrel does have rabies, you might notice it acting weirdly tame, staggering, or even having seizures.
Rabies is almost always fatal if symptoms show up, so any bite or deep scratch deserves immediate medical attention.
If you get bitten, wash the wound with soap and water for at least five minutes. Go see a doctor right away for a tetanus shot if you need one, and talk about rabies treatment. It’s also a good idea to report the bite to local health officials so they can keep track of rabies cases.
Other Squirrel-Borne Diseases
Squirrels sometimes carry fleas and ticks. These pests can pass infections to you or your pets.
Ticks from squirrels might carry Lyme disease. After spending time outdoors, check your body and clothing—better safe than sorry.
Fleas can bring bacterial illnesses into your home. They might also infest your pets, which is never fun to deal with.
Squirrel urine and droppings sometimes contain bacteria like Leptospira or Salmonella. Try not to touch droppings, nest materials, or chewed food packaging.
If you need to clean attics or places where squirrels have been, wear gloves and a mask. Once you’re done, wash your hands, especially if your pets go outside.
For more on diseases squirrels may carry, take a look at this overview of squirrel health risks and common infections.
