What is ‘zombie’ rabbit disease and can pets catch it?

A disease that turns rabbits into zombie-looking creatures is trending.

Horned, demon-looking rabbits were reported hopping around Fort Collins, Colorado, The Associated Press (AP) reported Friday. There have even been claims of the grotesque animals in Washington, according to KIRO 7.

Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus causes ‘zombie’ rabbit disease

However, Chase Gunnell, Communications Manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), told MyNorthwest Cottontail Rabbit Papillomavirus (CRPV) is nothing new.

“The Shope papilloma virus (SPV), also known as cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV), has been present in the U.S. for around a century and is not new in Washington,” Gunnell wrote in an email.

Gunnell noted that while people have posted about the rabbits on social media in Washington — WDFW, wildlife biologists, and veterinarians have not received any recent reports.

“We cannot provide confirmation of a wildlife disease based on photos from social media alone,” he added.

CRPV gives rabbits rough, red lesions around the ears, eyelids, neck, and shoulder, according to the book “Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents,” posted on ScienceDirect.

The growths don’t harm the rabbits unless they interfere with eating, Kara Van Hoose, a spokesperson for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, told The AP. Once the animals’ immune system fights off the virus, the growths subside.

‘Zombie’ rabbit disease cannot spread to other species

As for pets catching CRPV, Van Hoose said the virus can spread from rabbit to rabbit, but not to other species. Although the disease helped scientists research the connection between viruses and cancer, such as the human papillomavirus.

To report diseased wildlife, visit the WDFW’s website.

Contributing: The Associated Press

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