A ‘zombie’ virus is raging among raccoons. What to know

A virus that can turn raccoons into 'zombies' has been raging for years. Here's what to do if you encounter a raccoon with canine distemper virus (CDV).

A virus that can turn a raccoon into a “zombie” has been raging for years, with outbreaks reported in many parts of Canada.

Here’s what to do if you encounter a raccoon with canine distemper virus (CDV).

CDV will make a raccoon act strangely, according to Bill Dowd, founder and CEO of wildlife control company Skedaddle Wildlife.

“They will not be afraid of humans,” he told Global News. “They almost will look like a zombie or possessed, they’ll get up on their hind legs. They’ll start baring their teeth, maybe growling.”

Dowd said raccoons with the virus can be out in the daytime and they may topple over, like they are a “drunk raccoon.” The virus is lethal for raccoons and may cause them to approach humans and be aggressive if cornered.

He said to not try to approach the raccoon or relocate it as that could spread the virus to other animals, but to call local authorities, such as the humane society.

Nathalie Karvonen, the executive director of the Toronto Wildlife Centre animal hospital, told Global News that distemper virus has been “raging” for 15-20 years in Toronto and was initially spread by pets.

While pets are usually vaccinated against it, there is no current vaccination campaign for raccoons since humans can’t catch the virus, she said.