NEW YORK (WCBS/CNN) - Authorities are warning the public about a potentially rabid squirrel running rampant in Prospect Park.
It's a sunny Saturday, and families are filling the park.
The flyers at the entrance are unusual. They're warning parkgoers about recent attacks by a particularly aggressive squirrel in the park.
Five people were attacked and bitten by a squirrel between Tuesday and Thursday.
"I wouldn't feed it any nuts," one man said.
"I think that's crazy. What do we do about it because it's a park and we can't kill all the squirrels," one woman said.
The New York City Health Department urged any visitors who've been bitten by a squirrel near the area after July 10 to get checked by a doctor immediately.
If your pet has been bitten, get it to a vet.
Officials said squirrels are rarely infected with rabies, but because of the unusually aggressive behavior, they're assuming the animal is rabid.
The deadly rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal.
While the search is on for this specific squirrel, experts say it's likely that if it's rabid, it's already dead.
Christopher Williams, who visits the park often, said he's not totally surprised.
"You are in a park," he said. "There is still wildlife out here."
Health officials said they have not identified any other rabid animal in Prospect Park or in any other parts of Brooklyn this year.
Elizabeth Mangum, a mother of two, said her guard is always up.
"The squirrels here are aggressive," she said. "People here fed them. They come up to the picnic tables."
People are urged not to feed any animal in the park. Most squirrel bites happen when someone is attempting to feed the animal and gets too close.
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