A devastating disease sometimes called “rabbit Ebola” was first detected in Idaho, with state officials warning domestic rabbit owners to take precautions.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, or RHD, is an incredibly deadly disease that spreads easily among rabbits. It is not known to affect humans, livestock or other species of pets.
Two dead rabbits near Boise Airport were confirmed positive for RHD on Thursday night by the Alien Animal Disease Diagnosis Laboratory in New York – the first time it was detected in the state. They were initially sent for testing on March 8 before being sent to the FADDL for confirmation.
Idaho state veterinarian Dr. Scott Leibsle said that domestic rabbit owners need to take steps to protect their colonies, such as raising them from the ground if they are small enough.
“Minimize any kind of interaction with wild rabbits, any opportunity for that to happen and then disinfect your boots or coveralls, wash your hands before interacting with your rabbits before and after,” said Leibsle.
Often, the only symptom that a rabbit can experience if it contracts the disease is sudden death. Other symptoms include loss of appetite, blood in the nose and dullness.
RHD can survive in clothes or carcasses for months and can also be transmitted by fleas, flies and mosquitoes.
Leibsle said never to handle a rabbit killed in the wild and to call Idaho Fish & Game if you find one.
Any domestic rabbit suspected of contracting RHD must be immediately isolated and its owner must notify its veterinarian and the Idaho State Department of Agriculture.
If the rabbit survives, Leibsle said it could still spread the disease to others.
“Animals that survive can certainly pose a risk of continuous spread and transmission of the virus.”
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture did not order these animals to be euthanized, nor did it request that rabbit exhibitions be canceled.
There is a vaccine, but it is not easy to obtain in the United States. It has to be imported from Europe with the approval of federal regulators.
Leibsle said that rabbit owners who want to vaccinate their animals should assemble a group and look for a veterinarian who is willing to try to import them. He said he would then work with that veterinarian to obtain the appropriate permits to send a bulk consignment of vaccines to Idaho.
New Mexico became the first state to report a case of this strain of RHD last year in wild rabbits. Since then, it has been detected in several other western states.
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