Deadly Rabbit Disease Confirmed on Orcas Island

The Washington state Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in a domestic rabbit on Orcas Island.  RHD is a viral disease that causes sudden death in rabbits and can be spread through contact with infected rabbits, their meat or their fur, or materials coming in contact with them.

Prior to July 9^th detection in western Washington, Canadian animal health officials confirmed the disease in feral rabbits in British Columbia in February, 2018.  The disease has since been confirmed in 10 locations in and around Vancouver Island.  The first case of RHD2 detected in the U.S was last September in Ohio.

RHD poses no risk to human health or other animals, but hares, jackrabbits, and wild eastern cottontails may be susceptible to RHDV2.  The rabbit that died on Orcas Island was a pet, 2-year-old, male Norwegian Dwarf rabbit.  No other rabbits are on the property.

Rabbit owners who have questions about this disease should contact their veterinarians.  A vaccine for RHDV2 is not currently available in the U.S. Rabbit owners should practice good biosecurity measures to protect their animals from this disease, such as washing your hands before and after working with rabbits and not sharing equipment with other owners.

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