AI Generated Image
‘Zombie’ squirrels with oozing warts are found in several states in peoples’ backyards
Yahoo • • health
Key Points:
- Squirrels with wart-like, oozing tumors have been reported in multiple U.S. states this summer, including Florida, Michigan, and North Carolina, leading to the nickname "zombie squirrels."
- The tumors are caused by squirrel fibromatosis, a disease linked to the Lepripoxvirus, which usually clears up on its own within four to eight weeks without seriously harming the squirrels.
- While the tumors rarely affect the squirrels' survival, in some cases they can spread to organs and cause weakness; infections typically peak in spring and summer.
- The disease is not contagious to humans or household pets, and experts advise against trying to capture infected squirrels.
- To reduce the spread among squirrels, wildlife specialists recommend removing bird feeders, as the virus spreads more easily when squirrels gather in groups.
