Rabies in an Eastern Fox Squirrel

Abstract

Rabies was confirmed by specific laboratory tests in an Eastern fox squirrel (Scirrrus niger) which was shot in San Leandro, Alameda County, California, in August, 1971. The rabid animal had displayed aggressive, furious behavior. The one person who had been exposed, during an unprovoked attack, subsequently underwent antirabies treatment. Except in aberrant, isolated cases, such as described herein, rabies is only rarely diagnosed in rodents in the United States. Antirabies treatment for rodent bites is seldom justified, unless rabies has been demonstrated by reliable laboratory tests.

Rabies in the Tropics

“…It is, in fact, 508 inveterate but is subject to fluctuations from year to year exhibiting an epidemic periodicity of 3-4 years duration. It is interesting to note that up to the end of the last decade only 2 cases (with human involvement) of naturally acquired rabies in rodents (squirrels) have been reported and confirmed (Cappucci et al 1972; C.D.C. It must be stated that in Ghana, there are two peaks of rainfall (May through June, and October through November) separated by two unequal drier seasons (Baker 1962).…”

Naturally acquired rabies in an eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

“…Despite the number of cases that have been identified, relatively few have been reported in the scientific literature. Independently confirmed and published cases of rabies in rodents during the last 5 years have involved squirrels, a mouse, and an eastern wood rat (1,3,4,6). Another case of rabies in a rat found in Texas has been confirmed (Jean Smith, personal communication; manuscript submitted for publication).…”

Rabies in Terrestrial Animals

“…This animal was wounded and appeared confused. For example, these involve the aardwolf, armadillo, baboon, badger, bison, camel, caracal, chipmunk, civet, duiker, elephant, fox, squirrel, genet, honey badger, hyena, hyrax, Ictonyx, javelina, kudu, llama, lion, marmoset, Nasua, ocelot, opossum, otter, polecat, rabbit, rat, reindeer, roe deer, springbok, suricate, Taurotragus, ursids, vole, warthog, weasel, wildcat, Xerus, yak, zebra, and a host of others (Anonymous, 1990;Batista-Morais, Neilson-Rolim, Matos-Chaves, de Brito-Neto, & Mariada-Silva, 2000;Berry, 1993;Cappucci, Jr., Emmons, & Sampson, 1972;Dieterich & Ritter, 1982;Dowda & DiSalvo, 1984;Frye & Cucuel, 1968;Karp, Ball, Scott, & Walcoff, 1999;Leffingwell & Neill, 1989;Rausch, 1975;Stoltenow et al, 2000;Swanepoel et al, 1993;Walroth, Brown, Wandeler, Casey, & MacInnes, 1996;Wimalaratne & Kodikara, 1999).These cases support the observation that practically all mammals are susceptible to rabies. Rabies was confirmed by immunofluorescent testing (Dean & Abelseth, 1973) of the brain, and the case was presumed to be due to an epizootic of rabies among arctic foxes in the area.…”