Zombie squirrels story

Editors analyze a sensational wildlife disease story and what it means for readers.

Zombie squirrels with pus-filled growths alarm homeowners

Homeowners in the United States and Canada report seeing diseased squirrels in backyards. The reports reference sightings dating back to 2023 in Maine and describe growths around the head and limbs that can burst and ooze fluid. Wildlife experts identify the condition as squirrel fibromatosis caused by leporipoxvirus, a disease that spreads through contact between infected and healthy animals. The disease is not known to affect humans or other species, and most cases heal on their own, though rare instances can affect internal organs and cause death.
Public health officials advise against handling infected animals. One official notes that the condition is naturally occurring and will run its course, and that attempting to capture an ill squirrel can be dangerous and counterproductive.

The framing of the story around “zombie” squirrels taps into popular fears and online astonishment. Yet the science behind the symptoms is specific and limited to a wildlife context. Reporters face a choice between sensational visuals and sober explanations about wildlife diseases and transmission. This piece illustrates how easy it is for a natural event to be misread as an outbreak when photos circulate widely.
Journalists should emphasize context, avoiding overreach while still explaining potential health and ecological implications. The key is to separate curiosity from accuracy and to warn readers about how misinformation spreads in social spaces.

Highlights

Science helps us see the ordinary through a clear lens, not through fear.