It was spotted in Washington DC Keep an eye out for it: (Zombie) Rabbit

In parts of the United States, rabbits with alarming growths on their heads and faces have been spotted, leading to viral nicknames like “zombie rabbits,” “Frankenstein bunnies,” or “demon rabbits”. 

The “zombie rabbits” with horn-like growths are infected with the Shope papillomavirus, a virus that causes wart-like tumors on rabbits, particularly around the face and head. These growths can sometimes resemble horns, especially when they elongate. 

The virus is spread by biting insects like fleas and ticks and is specific to rabbits, not humans or other animals. While the growths can be alarming, they are generally not harmful to rabbits unless they interfere with essential functions. 

What we Know:

• The Virus:The Shope papillomavirus (SPV), also known as the cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, is a virus that infects rabbits, causing wart-like growths. 
• Appearance:These growths can vary in size and appearance, ranging from small nodules to large, horn-like structures. 

The beleaguered bunnies are infected with cottontail rabbit papilloma virus – also called Shope papilloma virus – which is spread by biting insects, such as mosquitoes and ticks, and causes black nodules on the skin, usually on the head, which can become elongated and may come to resemble horns.

Fortunately for those infected, “the growths have no significant effects on wild rabbits unless they interfere with eating/drinking,” according to Colorado Parks & Wildlife. “Most infected cottontails can survive the viral infection, after which the growths will go away.”

It’s also good news for other Coloradoan creatures – the virus is specific to rabbits and so will not spread to different species. Still, people are being warned not to touch the infected rabbits, and pet owners should be aware of the risk of transmission to domestic bunnies, especially if housed outdoors, where they may be exposed to wild rabbits or biting insects.

The disease tends to be more severe in pet rabbits, so any found sporting the characteristic “horns” should be treated by a veterinarian.

Outbreaks of the disease are more common in summer and fall, when disease-carrying insects are at their most prolific, which may explain the apparent uptick in sightings of “zombie” bunnies of late. As such, rabbit owners are advised to keep their pets indoors during these seasons, per PetMD.

Although they are usually harmless, the warts can sometimes also progress into squamous cell carcinoma, which is a serious form of skin cancer.

Shope papilloma virus outbreaks usually take place during the summer and autumn, so those with domesticated or pet rabbits have been urged to keep them indoors to be on the safe side.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the tumors don’t interfere with bunnies unless they block their sight and mouth.