Grotesque ‘zombie squirrels’ with oozing warts spotted roaming through US backyards

Zombie-esque squirrels covered in oozing, wart-like tumors have been invading backyards across the United States and the reason behind the deformities is likely caused by the species’ version of herpes, according to experts.

The grotesque-looking gray squirrels have been increasingly photographed this summer in US states, including Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, the Daily Mail reported, citing a flurry of social media posts reporting the bizarre sightings.

“What is going on with the squirrels lately?! This is the third one I’ve seen looking like this, and it’s honestly freaking me out,” one user posted on Facebook on June 9, alongside a photo of a squirrel covered in hairless patches and gnarly warts.

A Tarpon Springs, Florida resident also captured a photo of one of the rodents with “patchy fur and reddish bumps.”

“Found this poor squirrel in my back yard, really scared the crap out of me because I could tell it looked deformed,” an Ohio resident added in a separate post of a skulking squirrel covered in warts.

Wildlife experts said the so-called “zombie squirrels” are actually likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis — a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus, the outlet reported.

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.

“ Wildlife experts said the so-called “zombie squirrels” are actually likely suffering from squirrel fibromatosis — a viral skin disease caused by leporipoxvirus, the outlet reported.”
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Gee, Fauci is not busy now. Perhaps he can assemble a crew to do urgent GAIN-OF-FUNCTION on this virus to increase the possibility of it being able to infect humans. Then we can work on a vaccine to prevent it in humans. What could possibly go wrong.

Eeeewww...

Leporipoxvirus (specifically squirrel fibroma virus, or SQFV) is a member of the Poxviridae family, genus Leporipoxvirus, that causes squirrel fibromatosis (also called squirrel pox or squirrel fibroma).

This is distinct from the more severe "squirrelpox" (a different poxvirus) seen in European red squirrels, which is often carried asymptomatically by invasive grey squirrels and can be highly lethal to reds. The North American leporipoxvirus version typically produces benign, self-limiting skin tumors (fibromas) in squirrels and is not usually fatal.

Hosts:

It primarily affects tree squirrels in North America, especially:

Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) Fox squirrels Occasionally red squirrels and others

It can experimentally or occasionally infect related species like woodchucks (groundhogs) and rabbits, but it does not infect humans, dogs, cats, birds, or most other pets.

Transmission The virus spreads mainly through biting arthropod vectors (mechanical transmission, not replication in the vector): Mosquitoes (e.g., Aedes aegypti and Anopheles quadrimaculatus have been shown to transmit it in lab settings) Fleas

It can also spread via: Direct contact between squirrels (e.g., fighting, grooming, or close proximity) Contaminated objects or fomites (such as shared bird feeders, nest cavities, or cache sites)

Bird feeders often increase transmission by concentrating squirrels in close contact. Virus-rich material from the fibromas (tumors) on the skin is picked up on the mouthparts of insects or transferred directly. Tumors typically appear at the sites of bites or contact. Young or immunocompromised squirrels may develop more severe, generalized infections (including internal organs).

Symptoms and Course Infected squirrels develop wart-like or tumorous growths (fibromas) on the skin, often on the face, limbs, or body. These can cause hair loss, oozing sores, and a "zombie-like" appearance in some cases, which has led to recent viral social media reports. Lesions often regress over weeks to months in healthy adults, with full recovery common. Severe cases (especially in juveniles) can interfere with vision, eating, or movement and occasionally lead to secondary infections or death.

Key Notes This is a naturally occurring wildlife disease in North America and is generally not a major population-level threat to squirrels.

No treatment is typically needed or practical in the wild; removing bird feeders temporarily can help reduce spread in yards.

It is not zoonotic (no human risk).

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