Fort Collins’ “Last of Us” Rabbits: Shope Papilloma Virus Outbreak Explained

Residents of Fort Collins, Colorado, are witnessing a scene ripped from science fiction: rabbits with grotesque, black, tentacle-like growths erupting from their heads and faces. These disturbing sightings have ignited social media, drawing eerie comparisons to the infected creatures in HBO’s dystopian series The Last of Us. But wildlife officials confirm a real-world culprit behind this unsettling phenomenon – the Shope papilloma virus outbreak.

What Is Shope Papilloma Virus and How Does It Spread?

Shope papilloma virus (SPV), also known as cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV), is a species-specific pathogen causing wart-like tumors in rabbits. The virus spreads primarily through direct contact with infected animals or insect bites. Once infected, rabbits develop keratinized, horn-like projections – often black or dark brown – around the head, ears, eyelids, and legs. While the lesions look alarming, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) emphasizes they rarely kill the host. However, severe cases can obstruct vision or eating, and in rare instances, tumors may become cancerous. Outbreaks peak in summer and autumn, as reported by CPW in recent advisories.

Can Humans or Pets Catch the Virus?

Rest assured, SPV poses zero risk to humans. “This virus is exclusive to rabbits and cannot infect people, dogs, or cats,” states CPW. The primary concern is for domestic rabbits. Pet owners should keep them indoors during outbreak seasons to prevent exposure. Unlike the fictional Cordyceps fungus in The Last of Us, SPV isn’t airborne and doesn’t alter behavior aggressively. Susan Mansfield, a Fort Collins resident, documented an infected rabbit for over a year: “I thought he would die off during winter, but he came back. The growths just kept getting larger” (9NEWS, 2024).

What Should You Do If You See an Infected Rabbit?

1. Don’t touch or approach: Handling stressed wildlife risks injury or disease transmission.
2. Report sightings: Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife to track outbreaks.
3. Protect pet rabbits: Ensure outdoor enclosures are insect-proof and limit summer exposure.
   CPW notes there’s no cure for wild rabbits, and intervention is typically avoided. Infected animals often recover naturally, though tumors may persist for months.

Why “Last of Us” Comparisons Are Misleading

While SPV’s visual impact is jarring – one witness described “a scabby-ish mass covering the face” – the parallels to apocalyptic fiction end there. SPV isn’t contagious to humans, doesn’t drive “zombie-like” behavior, and has been studied since the 1930s. Virologists confirm it’s a documented, localized wildlife issue, not an emerging global threat. The viral social media reaction, however, highlights how unfamiliar diseases can trigger disproportionate fear.

As SPV cases rise seasonally in Colorado, understanding the science dispels science-fiction fears. This outbreak remains confined to wild rabbits, with no crossover threat to humans. Fort Collins residents can aid wildlife officials by reporting sightings but should avoid contact. For pet owners, vigilance is key: keep domestic bunnies secure during high-risk months. Stay informed through CPW updates, and remember – nature’s oddities are often less sinister than they appear.

Must Know

Q: Is Shope papilloma virus dangerous to humans?
A: No. SPV is species-specific to rabbits and poses no risk to humans, cats, or dogs, per Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Q: How do rabbits contract this virus?
A: Transmission occurs via direct contact with infected rabbits, shared environments, or insect vectors like ticks or mosquitoes.

Q: Should infected wild rabbits be euthanized?
A: Wildlife agencies typically don’t intervene, as many rabbits survive and tumors may regress naturally. Euthanasia is reserved for severe suffering cases.

Q: Can pet rabbits be vaccinated against SPV?
A: No vaccine exists. Prevention involves keeping pet rabbits indoors and minimizing exposure to wild rabbits or insects during outbreaks.

Q: Does this virus turn rabbits aggressive like in The Last of Us?
A: No. SPV causes physical growths but doesn’t alter behavior. Infected rabbits behave normally aside from potential discomfort.

Q: Are SPV outbreaks common?
A: Cases spike in summer/fall but remain localized. Colorado, Nebraska, and Kansas see periodic flare-ups, notes the Journal of Wildlife Diseases.