Virus Causes Tentacle Growths on Rabbits in Colorado, Midwest

In Fort Collins, Colorado, residents have reported sightings of rabbits with unusual black, tentacle-like or horn-like growths on their heads caused by Shope papilloma virus (SPV), a condition that results in wart-like tumors. Experts from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) confirm that while these growths resemble benign cancerous cells and generally do not harm the rabbits unless they appear on sensitive areas like the eyes or mouth, the virus has no known cure. The virus spreads primarily through mosquitoes or ticks biting infected rabbits and then transmitting the virus to others, but it does not infect humans, pets, or other wildlife. Residents are advised not to approach, touch, or feed these rabbits despite their alarming appearance, as the condition could cause harm if the tumors worsen. The phenomenon, though mostly observed recently in Colorado, could potentially affect cottontail rabbits across the Midwest. Local witnesses have noted the persistence of these growths even over multiple years on the same animals, which has raised concern and sympathy within the community.