Baffled Colorado Residents Encounter Rabbits Sporting Apparent Horns
In the United States, the Shope papillomavirus (SPV) continues to pose a threat to wild cottontail rabbits, particularly in states like Colorado. The virus, first discovered in the 1930s, has been causing visible wart-like, horn- or tentacle-like growths on infected rabbits, earning them nicknames such as "zombie rabbits" or "Frankenstein bunnies." These growths are characteristic and have been a recurring sight each year.
However, there is no evidence or reports to confirm the presence or spread of Shope papillomavirus in countries outside the US, including Korea. The virus is primarily known as a North American wild rabbit virus, and all recent sightings and news focus on wild rabbit populations in the US, especially Colorado and the Midwest region.
It is essential to note that the Shope papillomavirus does not pose a threat to humans, pets, or other wildlife. Domestic rabbits, however, can be more severely affected, and veterinary care is recommended for pets showing symptoms.
In a separate news, a photo provided by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources shows a deceased Eastern cottontail rabbit infected with Shope papillomavirus. The rabbit in the photo was not associated with an animal cafe, as depicted in a separate photo taken by an unspecified photographer on January 1, 2023. The location of the animal cafe, as shown in the photo, is not specified.
The photo of the animal cafe, featuring rabbits, was published by Joongang Ilbo, with the file coming from YONHAP. Despite the initial assumption that the photo might depict activities related to the Zika virus or the virus discovered in Seoul, it does not. The Shope papillomavirus is a distinct virus, primarily affecting wild rabbits in the US, and there is no indication from available sources that it has been detected or is spreading in Korea or other countries.
For further information on the virus’s status specifically in Korea, additional targeted surveillance data or veterinary reports from Korean authorities would be necessary, as current publicly available sources do not cover that region.
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