summertime — the time of year when everything smells like hot refuse — is finally in full - swing in New York City . With the MTA apparently intent on preventing us from going anywhere — never take care outside the metropolis — folks from Brooklyn and beyond trek to Prospect Park to cool down down and escape the nipping olfactory property in the gentle wind . Unfortunately , our idyllic summertime Clarence Shepard Day Jr. at the park might already be over as an “ unusually aggressive ” squirrel has infiltrated and attacked five park goer .
In apress releaseshared with Gizmodo , the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene ( DOHMH)—which is overseeing SquirrelGate — read the attacks took place between July 18th and July 20th near the Parkside and Ocean Avenue entry to the park .
BREAKING@ABC7NY : The belligerent Prospect Park squirrel is still on the loose . New Yorkers should shelter in position until further notice . 🐿 ️pic.twitter.com/IbJEuxu9wL
— Norman Charles ( @NormanCharles88)July 23 , 2017
“ Four patients have been identified ; a fifth , who was attacked while jogging , has not been identified , ” the DOHMH articulate . “ This is an disjunct incident . Squirrels are rarely infected with rabies ; however , base on the strange aggressive behavior , the Health Department is acting under the assumption that the animal is fanatic . ”
The DOHMH has not been able to verify whether or not the squirrel has rabies because honestly , it ca n’t find the blamed affair . A rep from the DOHMH order Gizmodo that they “ do n’t have any updates today , ” mean the defendant is either still at heavy or dead .
According to wildlife biologistImogene Cancellare , the squirrel could have “ furious hydrophobia , ” a discrepancy of the disease in which an animal exhibits aggression and hyperactivity . Animals with this grade of rabies ordinarily die within a few days .
“ Rabies cause death by cardiac arrest and issues with respiratory regulation , or when the pharynx closes up as other muscle are slowly paralyzed , ” Cancellare told Gizmodo . “ So an animal ’s death is a function of incubation fourth dimension and inclemency of onset of symptom . ” When the virus settles in an computer virus animal ’s brain and causes dysfunction that leads to aggression and other strange behaviour .
Perhaps the most concerning factor is that the uncongenial squirrel could “ beam the computer virus to many other mammals ” before it exit . Even if we assume the squirrel is dead , there ’s still a opening it infected other creatures in the park before going out in a blaze of glory .
“ Any soul or pet bitten by wildlife anywhere should contact their health precaution supplier or veterinarian to determine if medical care is postulate , ” the DOHM said in a affirmation .
In general , squirrels very seldom carry hydrophobia . If this squirrel has — or had — the disease , it would be something of a freaky , furry phenomenon . Nevertheless , the squirrel has judder a community to its core .
“ I ’m afraid of every sound in New York , ” Brooklyn resident Addie Cahen told Gizmodo .
Others show sympathy for the squirrel and send their best wishes to the dupe .
“ I hope no one else gets bitten , ” Julia Tejeda , who endure near the ballpark , said . “ I trust the squirrel is okay . ”
If you have entropy about the squirrel terrorizing Prospect Park , please institutionalize tips and photos to[email protect ] .
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