“Zombie squirrels” carrying a deadly virus are invading residential neighborhoods in the United States.
Squirrel fibromatosis, caused by the deadly virus Leporipoxviruscauses purulent warts on their bodies. This is a very common skin disease among gray squirrels.
These animals are called “zombie squirrels” by several Americans in Florida, North Carolina and Michigan, according to the Daily Mail.
A squirrel with squirrel fibromatosis, caused by the deadly virus Leporipoxvirus
Photo taken from Halfway Home Wildlife Rehab Facebook
It is transmitted by direct contact between healthy squirrels or with the lesions or saliva of infected ones, similar to herpes transmission in humans. However, scientists do not know whether the virus is transmitted to other animals or to humans.
The disease causes tumors or hairless growths to appear, similar to open sores leaking fluid.
Wildlife experts consulted by the Daily Mail believe backyard bird feeders could transmit the virus to more squirrels across America.
A squirrel with squirrel fibromatosis, caused by the deadly virus Leporipoxvirus
Photo taken from Halfway Home Wildlife Rehab Facebook
“It’s like when you have a large concentration of people. If someone is sick and it’s something that spreads easily, others will catch it,” said Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife spokesperson Shevenell Webb.
Halfway Home Wildlife Rehab in Michigan has taken in at least three squirrels infected with the deadly virus in the past month, according to the animal shelter’s Facebook posts.
This is particularly the case for Phlox, Bubbles and Bugsy, who are covered in lesions from head to toe. After several weeks of treatment, most are doing better and can be released into the wild.
“It’s a fascinating virus because it affects each squirrel so differently… some cases are more concentrated and only affect one part of the body (this is still limited to the ears and head), and others are systemic and affect the whole body, ultimately leading to death in most cases,” says Ms Shevenell Webb.
However, some severe cases of squirrel fibromatosis can affect the animal’s internal organs and lead to death.
