Over 500 Russians Bitten by Squirrels in Past Year
More than 100 cases of squirrel bites have been registered in Moscow, approximately 100 in St. Petersburg, 97 in the Novosibirsk region, 34 in Krasnoyarsk, and over 200 in Stavropol.
Consensus
- More than 500 people in Russia were bitten by squirrels in the past year.
- The majority of bites occurred during attempts to feed squirrels.
- Moscow reported over 100 medical visits due to squirrel bites.
- Stavropol Krai reported more than 200 cases of squirrel bites.
- Squirrel bites have occurred in Saint Petersburg, Novosibirsk Oblast, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Omsk.
- Children were among the victims of squirrel bites.
- Experts recommend seeking medical help after a squirrel bite due to the risk of rabies.
- Medical treatment may include anti-rabies prophylaxis, including immunoglobulin and vaccination.
- Squirrels are reported to carry parasites such as fleas and ticks.
- Squirrels may transmit rabies to humans.
- It is advised not to feed wild squirrels, especially with food harmful to them.
- Squirrels that do not flee or attack people should be treated with caution.
Points of divergence
- The data on squirrel bites comes from Rosconsumnadzor, cited by MK.RU. — vesti
- The number of squirrel bites was reported by the Telegram channel Mash. — m24
- There are approximately 5.2 million squirrels in Russia, with populations growing in some regions. — m24
- A woman in Volgograd was hospitalized after a squirrel attack on Mamayev Kurgan, and a woman in Surgut underwent a three-month rabies vaccination course after a bike ride incident. — m24
- A woman had to undergo vaccination after being pricked by a hedgehog's spine, receiving shots for tetanus and rabies, with side effects including back pain, fever, and chills. — m24
- Biologist Dmitry Safonov stated that squirrels in urban areas have become almost tame, creating a false sense of safety. — m24
- Feeding squirrels with hands changes their natural behavior and harms their health. — m24
- The main danger from squirrels is parasites such as fleas and ticks, in addition to rabies. — riamo
- Squirrels are described as 'bold' and capable of jumping onto arms and shoulders to steal food. — tg_mash
Coverage (4 sources)
- Forester explains what to do after a squirrel bite in the park — Вести
- Biologist Safonov: Feeding squirrels by hand risks ending in rabies and tetanus — Москва 24
- Fury and ticks: squirrels bit more than 500 Russians in a year — РИАМО
- Squirrels bit more than 500 Russians in a year. Bold creatures climb onto hands and shoulders, and to snatch a treat they are ready to bite — even if... — Mash
Key entities
- Moscow
- Novosibirsk Oblast
- Media
- Russia
- Krasnoyarsk
- Saint Petersburg
- Stavropol
- Mash
- Rospotrebnadzor
- Safonova
- Stavropol Krai
- Krasnoyarsk Krai
- Omska
- MK.Ru
- Maxim Denisov Belki