Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2)

As bad as the COVID-19 pandemic has been and continues to be, another disease of potential global significance has emerged and appears poised to wreak devastation upon wild rabbit populations across the world. Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) has been spreading around the globe since first detected in France in 2010 and has demonstrated its virility by successfully reducing wild rabbit populations 60-70% in as little as 2 to 3 years. Carcasses of dead wild rabbits are being found out in the open in large numbers in affected areas. Symptoms documented thus far include fever, lethargy, anorexia, unusual vocalization, a general wasting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, bleeding at the eye, and neurologic disfunction. At this time, there is no treatment for the disease. Given the widespread and seasonally abundant distribution of cottontail rabbits throughout the East, the level of devastation anticipated should the virus reach the area could be staggering, especially when considering the predator/prey role rabbits play in the ecosystem. Given this severity, wildlife authorities throughout the East are establishing surveillance protocols and are asking the public for assistance in monitoring for early appearance of this disease. Here in Virginia, any occurrence of what normally would seem to be an unusually large number of dead rabbits should be reported to the VA Department of Wildlife Resources (formerly Game and Inland Fisheries) office nearest to the site of occurrence (field offices for DWR can be located at this link: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/about/offices/). Given the disease’s demonstrated capability of spreading to domestic rabbits as well as wild animals, concern also is high about the potential impact on domestic stocks as well, so both pet owners and commercial rearing facilities need to be on alert for presence. - Jim Parkhurst, VCE Wildlife Specialist