|
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department says a disease affecting rabbits and hares previously found in western states may be moving eastward. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) is a virus known to be extremely lethal to wild and domestic rabbits, including cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares.
RHDV2 was first found in New Mexico in 2010, but it has spread rapidly to other western states(https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/rhd), and a case involving a domestic rabbit was reported in Florida in late 2020.
Infection with the virus usually results in the quick death of a rabbit, often in only a few days. The virus is transmitted through direct contact between wild rabbits, domestic rabbits, or between wild and domestic rabbits. It is also easily spread indirectly through contact with dead infected rabbits, infected food and water supplies, personal clothing, and domestic rabbit cages.
The virus withstands environmental stresses such as heat, cold, wet, or drought conditions and it can live in the environment for months. Rabbits infected with the virus may have blood from body openings, appear listless or lethargic, and they usually die within a few days. The disease does not affect other wildlife, dogs, cats, or humans.
The likely path of this virus coming to Vermont is through importation of a domestic rabbit, imported rabbit products, or by people coming back to Vermont from states that have the RHDV2 virus.
“We are cooperating with the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, which regulates the domestic rabbit trade in the state, to raise awareness of this disease and minimize the likelihood of introduction of the virus into Vermont’s rabbit populations,” said Vermont Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Louis Porter.
Here is what you can do to prevent the virus from getting to Vermont:
Media Contact: Wildlife Biologist Kim Royar 802-747-8412