very friendly squirrel

And I don't like the way you react to such "kind bestowing". So you're afraid some might find such discussions boring? Well, guess what: there will be enough others who will find such quarrels interesting. Each to his/her own.
I just hope that this little "bestowing" might result in more people realizing that the UK is not so free of a highly dangerous zoonotic disease as commonly believed-and that some mulish (yet nevertheless congenial) individuals start to learn more about virology. ;)
 
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bongorob said:
Your sources clearly state that EBLV is rabies-like.
Click to expand...

You appear not to get it-deliberately? As previously mentioned: the HPA page I provided you with is made mainly for laymen-that's why I posted it for you. Thus, it is kept rather basic. "My sources" are not limited to such sources of information.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2870049/pdf/14959767.pdf
might be more useful.

"European bats in the UK can spread a viral disease whose symptoms and outcome ( if left untreated) are equivalent to classic rabies virus infection, i.e. "rabies". Whether you divide between "classic" and "bat" rabies doesn't change the approach."

"Rabies-like" is used to stress the similarity, if not to say equivalence of the clinical features and the pathogenesis of RABV and EBLV 1 & 2, not the opposite.

Therefore, also from an epidemiologic point of view, caution is advised when encountering any wild (surprisingly tame) animal-even in the UK. In particular, when it's a bat.
 
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The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses list eight species of Lyssavirus. Three of these are

01.062.0.02.003 European bat lyssavirus 1
01.062.0.02.004 European bat lyssavirus 2
01.062.0.02.007 rabies

It can be seen that EBL1 and EBL2 are not the same species as classical rabies.

But why am I wasting my time explaining this to you? You evidently know what you are talking about and consider all the experts to be wrong.

Post whatever you like in reply, I have no intention of reading any more of your absolute rubbish.

Whatever you say the medical advisors to Her Majesty's Government have declared the United Kingdom to be a rabies free zone. That is good enough for me.
 
Good to see my posts triggered you to do some research on your own, @bongorob.

Given the current state of knowledge, there might be even more than 8 genotypes of lyssaviruses.

"It can be seen that EBL1 and EBL2 are not the same species as classical rabies." Why not take a look at what I wrote previously?

The only "absolute rubbish" I can detect is your inability to read and understand even the most basic subject, with pointless insults as your only way to compensate.

Let's hope you won't get into a situation where your assumption is put to a test. And that the medical advisors to Her Majesty's Government will/can help you then in time.
 
Okay, let's simmer down a bit. This is about a SQUIRREL. The likelihood of getting rabies from a squirrel, even in the U.S. Is close to zilch, so im pretty sure you're safe in UK. However, that being said, my experience in wildlife rehabilitation has shown me it's never a good idea to interact with any kind of wildlife. I know it wasn't your fault having the little guy attach itself to your leg, and I'm not blaming you, but having a squirrel lose that natural fear of humans is exactly why it's bad to give them habits such as feeding from humans. Suppose you hadn't been an animal lover, and he had jumped on you? Or if he had become aggressive because you weren't feeding Him?
I have sat back and let these conversations go by without a word before, and it always sat wrong with me. The purpose of these forums is to spread our knowledge and experience to others, so that's what im doing.
Please no hating. I'm not criticizing those who have the animal experience, but the ones before who helped the animals behavior along. Let wildlife stay wild.
 
I think with urban squirrels the damage has already been done, the same with foxes.

Both species are incredibly bold and the squirrels in particular can be seen in every urban park with little or no fear of humans and the issue of fearless urban foxes has been prominent - and more than a little sensationalised - in the British media this summer.
 
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