NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee Department of Agriculture is warning rabbit owners and hunters of a virus outbreak that is nearing the state line. The threatening virus is called rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2, or RHDV2.

The virus is highly contagious and fatal to domestic rabbits, wild hares, and pikas. RHDV2 can be transmitted through direct contact with infected rabbits or carcasses, meat or fur, feces, bodily fluids, bedding material, feed and water bowls, and hay.

 “There have been no cases of RHDV2 found in Tennessee, but rabbit owners should be mindful of the heightened risk,” said Tennessee State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Beaty.

 Last month, the RHDV2 virus was detected in domestic rabbits in the Arkansas counties of Craighead and Poinsett. Those counties are in the very northeast corner of the state, bordering Tennessee and Missouri.

 “Onset of this rabbit virus is extremely quick and it’s persistent,” Beaty added. “The virus can remain in the environment for an extended time, even in extreme temperatures. Pet owners and breeders should be alert for any signs their rabbits are infected.

“Animals may experience lethargy, decreased appetite, labored breathing, swelling, and internal bleeding. Owners should also watch for bloodstained noses or mouths, although often the only sign is sudden death of the animal.”

RHDV2 currently poses no threat to the states of Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, or Indiana. State veterinarians contacted in each of these states say they’re aware of the virus and plan to keep the public advised if a problem occurs.

“There are two strains of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus: RHDV and RHDV2,” said Melissa Justice, veterinarian with the Indiana Board of Animal Health and Director of Small Animal Health. “There are several differences between the two strains, perhaps the biggest difference is that RHDV only affects European rabbits. Unfortunately, RHDV2, which is currently being diagnosed in several western states, is capable of affecting not only rabbits of European descent but many wild rabbit populations.”

According to Justice, RHDV2 tends to affect rabbits of all ages while RHDV tends to affect older rabbits.

“This disease is believed to have a seasonal pattern of spread with increased detection of cases occurring in the spring, early summer and fall,” Justice said.

Last year, cases of RHDV2 were detected in New York, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, California, and Utah. Cases are also identified in Mexico. Since December 2020, there have been new cases identified in Florida, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.

“Indiana rabbit enthusiasts should be aware of the expansion of this disease and take precautions to protect their own rabbits,” Justice said, “as well as the wild rabbits here in Indiana. There is not a vaccine available at this time for residents of Indiana so breeders and owners must evaluate and upgrade their colony biosecurity practices to help prevent the spread of this highly contagious, infectious disease.”

The first-ever confirmed cases of RHDV in the U.S. was spotted at a farm in Crawford County, Iowa. Up until this confirmed case, the U.S. had been considered free of RHDV.

The second U.S. outbreak of this rabbit disease occurred in August of 2001 at a rabbitry in Utah. A Mercer County, Ill., premise received 72 rabbits from that infected Utah location and was also involved. More than 3,000 rabbits were euthanized with that outbreak.

The third reported outbreak of this disease occurred in an exotic animal facility in Flushings, N.Y., in 2001. 

The fourth outbreak of RHDV occurred at a private residence in Evansville, Ind., in June of 2005 and concerns were that the disease was likely to spread into Kentucky, though it never did. The rabbits were purchased from a Kentucky rabbitry. Epidemiologic investigation later indicated that a processing plant in Tennessee had imported rabbit carcasses from China which may have been carrying the virus.

RHDV2, a new virus, emerged in France in 2010, and quickly spread in Europe and the Mediterranean, and has replaced the original strain in many countries. In 2015, RHDV2 was first detected in Australia.

Safety procedures for rabbit owners

 

• Separate domestic rabbits from other pets, livestock, and wild animals.

• Thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces and equipment used for rabbit care.

•  Thoroughly wash hands, clothes, and shoes before and after contact with domestic rabbits.

• Dedicate a pair of shoes to be worn in rabbit housing and don’t wear them outside the housing area.

• Quarantine newly acquired domestic animals for at least 30 days from other pets and livestock.

• Do not handle dead wild rabbits.

• Hunters should wear gloves and disinfect tools, equipment, and hands after field dressing wild rabbits. Meat from healthy animals is safe for human consumption if dressed and cooked properly.