The Hutto police department is warning residents about the likely culprit for damaged Christmas lights across the city: the cottontail rabbit.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department officials have confirmed the first 2021 case of a deadly rabbit virus.

SAN ANTONIO – As most people look to socially distance or take other precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, another population is being threatened by a separate virus. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Virus is nearly always fatal and primarily affects adult rabbits. Tina Gilson, the president of The Alamo City House Rabbits, a group that works with domestic rabbits in San Antonio and South Texas, says they are taking this threat seriously. the disease was confirmed in several species of wild rabbits in Texas. RHDV2 IN TEXAS: This is a game changer for rabbits, both domestic and wild, in the State of Texas.

Officials say the disease has been known to survive on the landscape for more than 120 days and can withstand freezing temperatures. Please report any dead rabbits you find to help us track Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, a contagious viral disease that can affect both domestic and wild rabbits: https://t.co/3cY0fmVzSkIt is not known to affect humans, livestock or pets. Officials say the disease is not known to affect humans, livestock or pets other than rabbits. Reports of dead rabbits should be made to a local biologist in the county in which they were found. Related: ‘Above average’ deer hunting season expected in Texas, TPWD officials say