 [ Symptoms ] what causes pagets disease of bone [ Disease ] we do not know what causes paget is disease but genetic factors and viruses may play a role genetics if your parents brothers or sisters have paget is disease you are more likely to develop the disease than if you do not have a family history of the disease 1 virus viruses have been found in the bones of people with paget is disease the viruses may be associated with measles or canine distemper found in dogs 2 but there is no proof that any of these viruses cause paget is disease webmd medical reference from healthwise this information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information © 1995 2011 healthwise incorporated healthwise healthwise for every health decision and the healthwise logo are trademarks of healthwise incorporated