Is a new virus affecting animals in the United States? The images circulating on the networks worry, you are told the truth about these “zombie animals”.
In recent weeks, in the United States, rabbits, squirrels and deer covered with pustules or black horns have been seen. The images are circulating on social networks and worrying Internet users about a new virus.
A virus that affects rabbits, squirrels and deer in the United States
Regarding rabbits, it is the shopping papillomavirus (or white rabbit papillomavirus) that is involved. This virus infects certain species of rabbits and hares and causes cancerous lesions on the animal. In addition, these symptoms can make animals affected quite lethargic, hence the name of zombie.
Transmitted by insects biting or blood sucking like ticks, this virus leads to a transformation of the cells in which it has entered and causes the formation of papillomas, which are malignant skin tumors forming these horns. In general, he does not cause the death of the rabbit unless the tumors on his face prevent him from feeding.
Squirrels are affected by the fibroma virus, affecting gray squirrels in the United States and the red squirrel in England. The symptoms of this disease include skin ulcers, purulent lesions and crusts in the eyes, mouth, legs and genitals. But, for the moment, no statements confirming that this is a new virus.
The deer do not escape either, akin to “mutants” with flesh bubbles that grow on their faces (called fibroids), after being stung by mosquitoes or ticks that transmit the infected blood. The Washington Post indicates that “the virus was described for the first time in the 1930s in white -tailed rabbits from Iowa and Kansas. It is mainly present in the Midwest, but perhaps present from Mexico to the state of Washington ”.
A disease that is not new
However, this virus is not new, as the researcher specializes in the health of rabbits Esther Van Praag: “” These viruses are not new. They have been around for a long time, and have been the source of mythical hares and rabbits for centuries. Like the cornu hare or Lepus cornutusdescribed in Renaissance manuscripts in the 17th century“” .
Do not panic
These alarming images have gained momentum on social networks that some believed in a new virus, after the trauma of COVID. In addition, some images actually dated 2016. Thus, these maddening images panicked Internet users who may have believed in a new virus that could lead to a new pandemic, although these viruses have already existed for a long time. Morality of history: you have to remain vigilant and keep your sense critical on social networks. We reassure you: rabbits in the United States are not transformed into a zombie but have caught a virus that give them impressive pustules on the body.
