Colorado Updates:
News Article: Wart-like Growths Spotted on Cottontail Rabbits in Colorado
A mysterious virus has been causing wart-like growths on cottontail rabbits in northern Colorado, leading to a flurry of news reports in recent days. The cottontail rabbit papillomavirus, also known as the Shope papillomavirus, is the culprit behind these unusual skin lesions.
First identified in the 1930s, this virus has been used as a model to study human papillomavirus (HPV). In rabbits, the virus is transmitted primarily through biting insects such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which explains the seasonal pattern with cases peaking in summer when these insects are most active.
Although the growths may look alarming, the disease is generally harmless and temporary for the rabbits. Most rabbits recover from the virus without any lasting effects. However, the growths can sometimes interfere with the rabbits' ability to eat or drink, which could potentially be detrimental to their health.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials have stated that the virus is relatively common and usually not a cause for concern. Spokesperson Kara Van Hoose has made statements about the virus and the rabbits, assuring the public that this is a normal, cyclical occurrence in Colorado wildlife and should not cause alarm.
The state of Colorado has received a handful of reports of the virus since the initial 9News report. Denver's 9News published a photo and story of the odd virus last week, which led to numerous other news outlets reporting on it.
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It's important to note that the Shope papillomavirus cannot spread to humans or other pets. However, pet owners should seek veterinary treatment if their animal gets sick due to the rabbit papilloma virus.
References:
[1] National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2021). Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532856/
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Rabbit Papillomavirus. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/resources/rabies-related/rabbit-papillomavirus.html
[3] Colorado Parks and Wildlife. (2021). Shope papillomavirus. Retrieved from https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Pages/ShopePapillomavirus.aspx
