A nonfatal viral disease that occurs naturally in cottontail rabbits in states bordering the Mississippi River as well as in Oklahoma and Texas, and in brush rabbits in California. Cottontail rabbits from other parts of the United States and domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus) are also susceptible. The disease is caused by infection with Shope papilloma virus; it is spread naturally by contamination of broken skin or by the rabbit tick. The disease is characterized by cutaneous warts (papillomas) which can persist for months or years, sometimes becoming very prominent. Rabbits can be immunized against papillomatosis by injection of active or inactivated virus. Animal virus