Latest news with #DepartmentofInlandFisheriesandWildlife
Irish Independent
10 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Sightings of ‘zombie squirrels' spark fears in US and Canada
Grey squirrels covered in bulging, hairless tumours have been sighted across states such as Maine and parts of Canada in recent months, according to a Daily Mail analysis of social media posts. While users have commented on the rodents' 'zombie'-like appearance, wildlife experts have said the wart-like lesions appear to be consistent with a condition called squirrel fibromatosis. The virus belongs to the Leporipoxvirus genus within the Poxviridae family, the same group that includes the myxoma virus, which causes myxomatosis in rabbits. It often gets confused with squirrelpox, which is caused by another virus carried harmlessly by grey squirrels but which can fatally infect red squirrels. According to the Mail, experts have not yet confirmed whether the new sightings are cases of fibromatosis or squirrelpox, though the latter is considered to be less likely to spread in the US. While squirrel fibromatosis might look terrifying, it's a common, often non-lethal skin disease. The virus spreads through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels – often at feeding tables – and biting insects such as mosquitoes and fleas. It can appear anywhere on the animal's body, but is most common on the face and limbs. The growths usually regress on their own in several weeks or months. Shevenell Webb, of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, told Bangor Daily News that residents who come across a 'zombie squirrel' have little to fear as neither squirrel fibromatosis nor squirrelpox is believed to be transmissible to humans, domestic pets or birds. It comes after reports of rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, alarming residents with black-coloured growths resembling horns protruding from their heads. Photos of rabbits with antler-like nodules have gone viral, drawing comparisons to 'zombies', 'aliens' and 'Frankenstein bunnies'. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have identified the cause as shope papillomavirus, a rabbit-only virus with no cure that produces wart-like tumours, particularly around the face and head. (© The Independent)
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'Zombie squirrels' with horrific flesh sores invading gardens
Residents in the US and Canada have been left horrified after spotting grey squirrels covered in bulbous growths that split open and leak pus - with images showing tumors spreading across their bodies Gardens across North America are being invaded by grotesque squirrels riddled with oozing sores - and experts say garden bird feeders could be fuelling the outbreak. Residents in the US and Canada have been left horrified after spotting grey squirrels covered in bulbous growths that split open and leak pus. Disturbing photos show the creatures with tumours spreading across their faces, eyes, legs, and even their private parts. The freakish phenomenon first surfaced in Maine in 2023, when locals captured images of the stricken animals. Since then, reports have snowballed online, with stunned social media users swapping theories about the grisly condition. Some claimed it could be "squirrel pox," but wildlife officials believe the more likely culprit is squirrel fibromatosis - a virus that disfigures the rodents with wart-like lumps. And everyday bird feeders may be turning the problem into an epidemic. "It's like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it's something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it," warned Shevenell Webb of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. The virus, spread through saliva and open lesions, is harmless to humans and pets but brutal on squirrels. Experts say people should avoid touching them at all costs. "I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus," Webb told the Bangor Daily News. "It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time." While most squirrels eventually recover, the disease can sometimes penetrate internal organs - leaving the creatures doomed. It comes as another mysterious virus in Colorado has transformed rabbits into alien-looking creatures with black tentacle-like growths sprouting from their heads. The so-called Frankenbunnies have been reported multiple times in Fort Collins, with local resident Susan Mansfield said she spotted a cottontail rabbit covered in what appeared to be "black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth." She told 9News: "I thought he would die off during the winter, but he didn't. He came back a second year, and it grew." Another witness described the infected animal as having "a scabbiesh-looking growth over their face." The culprit behind these eerie deformities is cottontail papilloma virus (CRPV), also known as Shope papilloma virus, which triggers tumour growths around the rabbits' heads. Parasites such as fleas and ticks transmit the virus through their bites, according to Pet MD. Authorities have urged the public to steer clear of the affected animals.
NDTV
a day ago
- Health
- NDTV
US Squirrels Hit By Viral Disease Causing Grisly Warts. Do They Pose Threat To Humans?
Viral images showing squirrels with pus-filled, wart-like tumours and bald spots on their fur have surfaced on social media, leaving netizens shocked. These disturbing-looking grey squirrels have been spotted in backyards across the US, particularly in states like Maine, and in parts of Canada. The infected animals have oozing sores and hairless patches on their heads and limbs, the Daily Mail reported. Notably, photos of these afflicted squirrels have been surfacing since mid-2023, but sightings have increased again this summer. One user posted on Reddit saying, "At first I thought it was eating something from my front beds, but then I realised it was on its face," after spotting a grey squirrel with a tumour on its mouth. The squirrels, nicknamed "zombie squirrels" due to their appearance, are likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis, a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus, according to wildlife experts. The virus is transmitted through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected ones, similar to how herpes spreads in humans. It's often mistaken for squirrelpox, a more common and potentially fatal virus in the UK that affects red squirrels. Leporipoxvirus causes fluid-oozing, wart-like tumours, and while the skin condition usually resolves on its own, severe cases can lead to internal organ damage and death. According to Shevenell Webb from Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, despite the squirrels' alarming appearance, there's no need for residents to be concerned, as they don't pose a threat to humans, pets, or birds. "It's like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it's something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it. The concentration may be caused by innocent bird feeders. Infected animals can leave saliva or fluid on uneaten seeds, exposing other squirrels to the virus. Like a lot of people, I love watching birds. Unfortunately, you can attract multiple [squirrels] to that feeder and risk exposure if one has the virus," Mr Webb said. Experts advise against intervening with the infected squirrels, allowing them to heal naturally. Mr Webb cautioned against capturing squirrels with the virus, as it's naturally occurring and will run its course in time, typically clearing up within four to eight weeks. Meanwhile, a separate viral outbreak is affecting cottontail rabbits in Colorado, causing them to develop black, tentacle-like growths on their heads due to the cottontail papilloma virus. Experts are warning people to steer clear of these infected animals.
Economic Times
a day ago
- Health
- Economic Times
After 'Frankenstein rabbits', zombie squirrels with pus-filled, wart-like tumors spotted across US and Canada. Here's all you need to know
Synopsis Across the US and Canada, squirrels are increasingly sighted with grotesque, wart-like growths due to squirrel fibromatosis, a viral skin disease. Wildlife experts assure that this condition, triggered by the leporipoxvirus, poses no risk to humans, pets, or birds and typically resolves in a few weeks. Wildlife experts claimed that the phenomenon is caused by squirrel fibromatosis—a naturally occurring viral skin disease that looks frightening but poses no risk to humans, pets, or birds. Squirrels with grotesque, wart-like tumors have reportedly been spotted across the United States and Canada, particularly in states like Maine. The condition, marked by pus-filled tumors and hairless patches, has alarmed residents and sparked viral discussions on Reddit, X, and other platforms. According to reports, photos and reports of these afflicted animals have surfaced since mid-2023, with sightings surging this summer. Some residents have dubbed them 'zombie squirrels' due to their disturbing appearance. One Reddit user recounted spotting a gray squirrel with a tumor on its mouth on July 31, initially mistaking it for eating something in a flowerbed before realizing the growth was attached to its face. Wildlife experts claimed that the phenomenon is caused by squirrel fibromatosis—a naturally occurring viral skin disease that looks frightening but poses no risk to humans, pets, or birds. Squirrel fibromatosis is triggered by the leporipoxvirus and spreads through direct contact, often when healthy squirrels encounter the saliva or lesions of infected ones. The transmission mechanism is similar to how herpes spreads in humans. Unlike squirrelpox—common in the UK and fatal to red squirrels—this virus usually resolves within four to eight weeks, although in rare cases, internal organ involvement can be fatal. Wildlife biologist Shevenell Webb of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife told the Bangor Daily News that the clustering of squirrels—often around bird feeders—may be driving the spread. 'It's like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it spreads easily, others are going to catch it,' she said. Uneaten seeds contaminated with saliva or fluid from an infected squirrel can pass the virus on to others. Webb emphasized that residents should not attempt to capture or treat the animals. 'It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time,' she noted. Interestingly, these squirrel sightings come as another unusual wildlife virus is reported in Colorado, where cottontail rabbits infected with Shope papilloma virus—also called cottontail papilloma virus—develop black, antler-like growths protruding from their heads. While both conditions are visually disturbing, experts stress that neither poses a danger to people. Instead, they serve as reminders of the strange, often startling ways viruses can affect wildlife.
New York Post
a day ago
- Health
- New York Post
‘Zombie squirrels' covered in oozing warts spotted sulking through US backyards: report
Squirrels covered in pus-filled, wart-like tumors have been spotted skulking through backyards across the United States, according to a report. The grotesque-looking gray squirrels, photographed in states like Maine and across parts of Canada, have appeared in recent months with oozing sores and hairless patches on their heads and limbs, the Daily Mail reported, citing a flurry of social media users spotting the critters on Reddit and X. Photos and reports of afflicted squirrels date back to mid-2023, but sightings have surged again this summer, the outlet said. Advertisement Grisly-looking squirrels with pus-filled, wart-like tumors have been spotted skulking through backyards across the United States. Evelyns Wildlife Refuge 'At first I thought it was eating something from my front beds, but then I realized it was on its face,' one Reddit user posted on July 31 after spotting a gray squirrel with a tumor on its mouth, according to the outlet. Some have dubbed the critters 'zombie squirrels,' but wildlife experts claim the animals are likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis — a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus, the outlet reported. Advertisement The virus spreads through direct contact between healthy squirrels and the lesions or saliva of infected squirrels — mimicking herpes transmission in humans. The virus is often confused with squirrelpox, which is more common in the UK and can be fatal to red squirrels. Leporipoxvirus leads to wart-like tumors that ooze fluid. The skin condition often clears up on its own, but in severe cases, the growths can affect internal organs and lead to death. Despite looking scary, Shevenell Webb of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife told the Bangor Daily News that residents do not need to fear the squirrels, as they pose no threat to humans, pets, or birds. Advertisement Wildlife experts claim the animals are likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis — a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus. Wild Things Sanctuary 'It's like when you get a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it's something that spreads easily, others are going to catch it,' Webb said. The 'concentration' may be caused by innocent bird feeders. Infected animals can leave saliva or fluid on uneaten seeds, exposing other squirrels to the virus. 'Like a lot of people, I love watching birds,' Webb said. 'Unfortunately, you can attract multiple [squirrels] to that feeder and risk exposure if one has the virus.' Advertisement Though the 'zombie' squirrels aren't dangerous, people should let the animals heal on their own, experts said. 'I would not recommend trying to capture a squirrel that has the virus,' Webb cautioned, 'It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time.' The tumors often clear within four to eight weeks, the outlet reported. The sightings of the squirrel virus come as another rapidly spreading virus is causing cottontail rabbits in Colorado to grow black, tentacle-like spikes out of their heads this month, prompting warnings to steer clear of the mutated animals. The so-called bunny blight is actually a disease called cottontail papilloma virus, also known as Shope papilloma virus, which causes cottontails to sprout tumors around their head.
