The New York Post and the Daily Mail reported the phenomenon, while sad stereotypes have been captured in Maine and Canada in recent months. The photos were shared on Reddit and X.
You can see gray squirrels with oozing wounds and plates devoid of hair.
The Daily Mail adds that “zombie squirrel” observations increased again this summer.
According to an expert in biodiversity interviewed by Bangor Daily News, these animals would be affected by the virus
These animals are probably carrying a germ known as the Squirrel fibrome virus (SFV) – a poxvirus that causes the variolate of the squirrel.
The virus causes tumors resembling warts that ooze liquid, it is said.
Although this disease is frightening, squirrels are generally recovered from the disease, which does not constitute a threat to humans, said Shevenell Webb of Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
But in the most serious cases, the growths can affect the organs and cause the death of the animal.
The virus spreads by direct contact between healthy squirrels and lesions or saliva of infected squirrels.
Other animals that nourish carcasses of infected birds can however contract the disease.
Infected animals can then leave saliva or liquid, thus exposing other squirrels to the virus.
The population is asked not to try to capture animals and try to treat them.
This news comes while rabbits have created a small concussion in Colorado, while several animals have been seen with “tentacles or small horns”.
