Latest news with #Shopepapillomavirus
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
After 'Frankenstein' rabbits, 'zombie squirrels' are haunting Americans
Source: X Squirrels with grotesque, wart-like tumors have 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 fueled viral discussions on Reddit, X, and other platforms. According to reports, sightings of these afflicted animals have surfaced since mid-2023, with numbers rising this summer. Some residents have dubbed them 'zombie squirrels' due to their disturbing appearance. One Reddit user recalled seeing a gray squirrel with a tumor on its mouth on July 31, initially thinking it was eating something in a flowerbed before realizing the growth was attached to its face. The cause: Squirrel Fibromatosis Wildlife experts identify the phenomenon as squirrel fibromatosis—a naturally occurring viral skin disease that looks frightening but poses no risk to humans, pets, or birds. The condition is caused 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 often fatal to red squirrels—this virus usually resolves within four to eight weeks. However, in rare cases, internal organ involvement can be fatal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo 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 urged residents not to interfere. 'It is naturally occurring and will run its course in time,' she noted. Rabbits with antler-like growths Source: X At the same time, unusual wildlife sightings have been 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. The disease is spread by parasites like ticks and fleas, which pass on the ailment through their bites, according to Pet MD. While the recent sightings occurred in Colorado, the disease most frequently appears in the Midwest. 'Typically rabbits become infected in the warmer months of summer when transmitted by being bitten by insects like fleas and ticks,' said Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesperson Kara Van Hoose, per the Coloradoan. Fortunately, Colorado Parks and Wildlife notes that while the virus can spread between rabbits, it is not known to infect humans or pets and is not considered a public health threat.
Daily Mirror
11 hours 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.
News18
13 hours ago
- Health
- News18
‘Zombie Squirrels' Spotted In US Gardens, Experts Explain What's Behind It
Last Updated: In the US, zombie squirrels with sores and bald patches have been seen due to squirrel fibromatosis, a virus causing tumors. Experts advise not to touch them; they usually recover. In the US, people claim to have seen 'zombie squirrels" in their gardens — normally cute rodents now appearing with sores and bald patches. It can't be any fun for the poor little critters to be infected with such a visible disease, and according to the Daily Mail, people were spotting them roaming around in wildlife as far back as 2023. No matter how bad it looks to us, it's far worse for a squirrel suffering from what experts believe is a case of squirrel fibromatosis. It's a virus which can be found among grey squirrels in the US and causes large visible tumours which look like warts to grow on the animal's skin, giving them the distinctive 'zombie' appearance people have noticed, LADBible reported. The virus means these warts can ooze pus, and while the squirrel normally recovers, in some cases, the disease will reach the internal organs and result in death for the little fuzzy creatures. According to wildlife experts, part of the reason for the more noticeable spread of the disease is people leaving bird feeders out in their gardens. Since it's a place for squirrels to congregate, it may be a spot where the disease is spread from animal to animal. Fortunately, the virus doesn't affect humans, but experts caution against touching or trying to help infected squirrels. In most cases, the animals recover on their own, and there's little humans can do to intervene. Wildlife biologist Shevenell Webb told the Bangor Daily News that, despite their alarming appearance, she 'would not recommend attempting to capture a squirrel infected with the virus." They explained: '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 expert pointed out that people putting up bird feeders could actually be contributing to the spread of the virus. She said: 'You have one squirrel eating at the feeder that has the virus, and its saliva gets on the feeder of the other seeds, then another squirrel comes along and comes in contact with that saliva – it's the perfect place to spread squirrel pox." '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." This follows reports of so-called 'Frankenstein rabbits" spotted in the US, infected with the Shope papilloma virus (CPRV) — a disease that causes malignant tumours to form on rabbits, most often on their heads. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Zombie squirrels spotted across US and Canada after ‘Frankenstein rabbits' scare. Here's what's causing it
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. What's causing Zombie Squirrels by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Discover Nikoo Homes from ₹1.2 Cr* Nikoo Homes Sadahalli Learn More Undo 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. Live Events 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.
Global News
3 days ago
- Health
- Global News
Why rabbits with strange-looking ‘horns' are hopping around Colorado
Rabbits have been spotted hopping around a Colorado town with unusual horn-like growths poking out of their heads, causing alarm among some locals. The bunnies seen in Fort Collins, a town about 105 kilometres north of Denver, are infected with the somewhat common Shope papillomavirus, which causes wart-like tumours that metastasize from their faces, appearing like horns. View image in full screen Rabbit with the papilloma virus (CRPV), or Shope papilloma virus. It infects rabbits, causing keratinous carcinomas, typically on or near the animal's head. Education Images/ Getty Images Photos shared online of the infected Cottontails have led to the species being given some unfortunate epithets, including 'Frankenstein bunnies,' 'demon rabbits' and 'zombie rabbits.' However, their disease is well known to scientists and has been extensively studied. Story continues below advertisement Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told the Associated Press on Wednesday that the agency had received reports of sightings in Fort Collins. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy She assured that it is not out of the ordinary to see infected rabbits, especially during the summer months when fleas and ticks, which spread the virus, are most prevalent, adding that there is no risk to humans as the virus is only transmitted between rabbits. The growths often look like warts but can appear more like horns if they grow longer, Van Hoose explained, assuring that they are harmless to rabbits unless they grow on their eyes or mouths and interfere with eating. Rabbits' immune systems can fight the virus and, once they do, the growths will disappear, she said. The virus was named after Dr. Richard E. Shope, a professor at The Rockefeller University who discovered the disease in Cottontails in the 1930s. Infected rabbits' appearance is said to have influenced the centuries-old jackalope myth in North America, which told of a rabbit with antlers or horns, among other animal variations. The disease in rabbits also contributed to scientists' knowledge about the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer. — with files from The Associated Press Story continues below advertisement
