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Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) is a fatal disease of rabbits and is considered a foreign animal disease in the US.  This is a non-zoonotic disease, affecting both wild and domestic rabbits.  Wild rabbits affected include hares, jackrabbits, and cottontails.  Signs of the disease are sudden death and occasionally blood stained noses as a result of internal bleeding.  Rabbits may also develop a fever, resist eating, or show respiratory or nervous signs.  Currently, RHDV2 has been detected in eight US states, including Wyoming.  The disease is very infectious, being spread via direct contact, exposure to infected excretions or blood, spreading via carcass, food, water, or any contaminated material.  There is no vaccine currently available in the US.  The WGFD is currently conducting opportunistic surveillance for this disease and asks if rabbit carcasses are found and RHDV2 suspected, please contact the Wildlife Health Laboratory at (307) 745-5865.  If needing to handle carcasses, please use caution and wear gloves/additional PPE, as dead rabbits could also potentially carry zoonotic diseases. 

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Fact Sheet
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Emerging Risk Notice
WY Livestock Board Rabbit Hemmorhagic Disease Press Release 12/17/2020
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus info for Falconers
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease virus info for Hunters
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus info for Hunters with Hounds
Map of RHDV2 positive counties in the US (USDA)
Map of RHDV2 surveillance in the state of Wyoming (toggle between layers in the layers list, click layer name for color ramp)
rhdv2.org - A national resource on RHDV2