Latest news with #Leporipoxvirus
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
After rabbits with tentacles the rise of hairless zombie squirrels with oozing flesh scares US neighbourhoods: See pics
Just when Colorado residents were still reeling from viral photos of rabbits sporting black horn-like growths, a new creepy critter has entered the chat – squirrels with bulging, hairless tumours that make them look straight out of a zombie flick. Sightings have popped up in states like Maine and even across Canada, with locals branding the creatures 'zombie squirrels.' What is really happening to these squirrels? Experts have explained that the disturbing growths are likely a result of a condition called squirrel fibromatosis, a poxvirus in the same family as the infamous myxoma virus that wreaks havoc on rabbits. Some have speculated about squirrelpox, a virus more commonly associated with British red squirrel declines, but that option seems less likely in the U.S. Despite the nightmare aesthetics, fibromatosis is not the squirrel apocalypse. The disease is common, usually non-lethal, and the tumours typically shrink on their own after a few weeks or months. It spreads through close squirrel-to-squirrel contact, shared feeding spots, and insects like fleas and mosquitoes. Wildlife officials say do not panic Shevenell Webb of Maine's Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has reassured residents that 'zombie squirrels' are scarier to look at than to live around. Neither fibromatosis nor squirrelpox pose risks to humans, pets, or birds. The best advice, Webb said, is to simply leave the squirrels alone and let nature take its course. We had rabbits growing spikes last week and we have 'Zombie Squirrels' this week. Leporipoxvirus is what it's called. Rabbit tentacle horror show The rise of 'zombie squirrels' comes hot on the heels of viral rabbit sightings in Colorado that looked like something from a horror B-movie. Locals reported rabbits with black tentacle-like growths sprouting from their faces, sparking online comparisons to 'aliens' and 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Wildlife officials confirmed those rabbits are suffering from Shope papillomavirus (SPV), a rabbit-only infection that causes wart-like tumours around the face and head. Much like fibromatosis, it is spread by biting insects, cannot infect humans or pets, and usually does not harm the rabbit unless it interferes with eating or vision. Nature is out-creeping the internet Between tentacle bunnies and tumour-ridden squirrels, it feels like North America is in its very own low-budget horror trilogy. The reality, though, is that these viral animal oddities are age-old wildlife diseases, not signs of an impending zombie apocalypse. Still, try explaining that to TikTok.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
‘Frankenstein rabbits' scare prompts new fears of ‘zombie squirrel' plague
Just days after a so-called ' Frankstein bunny ' was spotted in northern Colorado, reports surfaced of another eerie creature in North America: a 'zombie squirrel.' Gray squirrels covered in bulging, hairless tumors have been sighted across states like Maine and parts of Canada in recent months, according to The Daily Mail 's 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 gray squirrels but can fatally infect native red squirrels in the U.K. 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 U.S. 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. Leaving the squirrels alone is the best strategy, Webb said, noting that for the most part, the animals 'are just really ugly to look at.' It comes after earlier reports this month of rabbits in Fort Collins, Colorado, alarming residents with black-colored growths resembling tentacles or horns protruding from their heads. Photos of rabbits with anter-like nodules have gone viral, drawing comparisons to 'zombies,' 'aliens,' and 'Frankenstein bunnies.' Amanda Gilbert, a 9NEWS Northern Colorado reporter, captured a photo of one rabbit with the growth on its head, which resident Susan Mansfield said looked like 'black quills or black toothpicks sticking out all around his or her mouth.' Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have identified the cause as shope papillomavirus, a rabbit-only virus with no cure that produces wart-like tumours known as papillomas, particularly around the face and head of cottontail rabbits, the news station reports. Like squirrel fibromatosis, the virus only spreads among its kind, primarily by biting insects like fleas and ticks during warmer months. A relative of human papillomavirus, SPV is not harmful to humans, pets, or other wildlife, and usually doesn't hurt the rabbit unless it affects the eyes or mouth, officials said.
NDTV
2 days 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.
New York Post
2 days 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.
