Experts in British Columbia are advising rabbit owners to be cautious as the number of dead rabbits infected with rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) increases. The disease, caused by a calicivirus is native to domestic rabbits of European origin and pet rabbits are at risk, but not other animals. “I would be very careful if I had a domestic rabbit,” said Helen Schwantje, DVM. She is concerned about the disease that has already jumped from one community to another.
Source: Keremeos Review, March 17, 2018, via AVMA SmartBrief.
The majority of pet rabbits are domestic rabbits of European extraction and they are definitely very sensitive to it. So people with pet rabbits need to practice really, really good biosecurity and proper hygiene,” said Schwantje. “The RHD virus is transmitted by close contact either through feces, through some kind of body excretion, saliva, it can exist in the environment for quite some time.
Also see: Hundreds of dead rabbits found in new areas of Nanaimo, Chek, March 17, 2018.
Rabbit owners are advised to be extremely cautious as it’s an extremely infectious and lethal disease for rabbits. It does not pose a threat to humans or other animals. “Keep your bunnies inside and be very cautious with your shoes and clothing, and report any deceased [rabbits] to us and (animal control) will come pick them up,” said Carley Colclough.
Also see: Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, Standard Operating Procedures, APHIS/USDA.
- Transmission: Infected rabbits shed the virus in excretions and secretions. RHD is readily spread by direct contact, fomites, mechanical vectors, pelts, and infected rabbit meat and carcasses.
- Persistence in the Environment: Highly stable, especially when ensconced in organic material.
- Animal Products and By-Products: RHD is extremely hardy in rabbit meat; it may survive in chilled, frozen, or decomposing meat for months.
INSIGHTS: Nanaimo sits on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Because it is spring hunting time, raptors could potentially spread the disease to the mainland.