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Ohio confirms 1st hemorrhagic virus strain in American rabbit
 

By DOUG GRAVES

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) has confirmed that rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus RHD2 was detected in a domestic rabbit in Medina County, 20 miles south of Cleveland, on Sept. 19. This is the first confirmed case of RHD2 in the United States.

RHD is a viral disease that causes sudden death in rabbits. It can be spread through contact with infected rabbits, as well as by materials having contact with infected animals.

The American Rabbit Breeders Assoc. (ARBA) and those associated with the House Rabbit Society stress there are two main types of RHD – RHD1 and RHD2. This is the first detection of RHD2 in this country. Currently there are no vaccines for use in the U.S., so the best way to protect rabbits is through enhanced biosecurity practices.

The rabbits at this location were housed in horse stalls and ran free in them, Ohio agriculture officials said in an email to media. The animals were on-site for several years and there has been no recent movement of rabbits on or off the premises. The ODA is working with state and federal partners to conduct surveillance of wild rabbits near the location.

State officials were quick to note that RHD2 does not pose a threat to humans or other animals, but is highly fatal in rabbits. According to the ODA Division of Animal Health, the time from infection to first signs of RHD2 disease may be up to nine days. Affected rabbits may develop a fever and die within 12-36 hours.

Infected rabbits may appear dull and can be reluctant to eat, have congested membranes around the eyes, show nervous signs, incoordination or excitement and paddling. Other signs might include difficulty breathing and a bloodstained, frothy nasal discharge at death.

Rabbits shed RHD2 virus in the urine or feces for as long as four weeks after infection. RHD2 can spread on contaminated food, bedding, fur and water. Transmission of the virus over short distances can occur by the contaminated clothing of people, biting insects, birds, rodents, wild animals, fur or vehicles.

“We held our convention in Columbus, Ohio, in May and it was a festive time, but this news is quite alarming,” said Margaret Snyder, a 30-year member of the Ohio State Rabbit Breeders Assoc. “This new strain (RHD2) is able to infect a wider variety of rabbit species, although it’s not yet known if rabbits such as cottontails can be infected.

“Rabbit breeders and owners across the state are very concerned. The death rate with this disease, we’re told, is between 50 and 100 percent. In Canadian outbreaks of RHD2 in 2016 and 2018, the death rate was close to 90 percent.”

The virus, Snyder added, can also be spread by flies and mosquitoes, and it is resistant to freezing and heat.

As of Oct. 8, the virus had not been reported outside the original location in Medina County. Officials warn rabbit owners to take the following precautionary measures when coming home from this outbreak area:

•Change clothes after handling or coming in contact with rabbits. Wash these clothes twice in hot water before wearing them around your own rabbits.

•Remove shoes before entering you home and disinfect shoes that may have been contaminated.

•Know the sources of hay and feed, and if they are near areas of any outbreaks.

•Quarantine any new rabbit for at least 10 days and always handle quarantined rabbits last, keeping all supplies for them separate from the other rabbits’ supplies.

Anyone suspecting cases of disease, or for more information, contact the ODA Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220.

 

10/18/2018