DEAR JOAN: I’m reaching out to let people know about the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), a new rabbit virus that’s spreading in the United States in both domestic and wild rabbits. In most cases, it’s lethal.
Two weeks ago, it was confirmed to be in Southern California in Palm Springs, where it is spreading rapidly, threatening both wild and domestic rabbit populations.
Domestic rabbits are the third most popular pet in the United States, behind dogs and cats. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this new virus changes everything about having a pet rabbit in North America.
I work for House Rabbit Society, a nonprofit animal welfare organization founded in 1988 with headquarters in Richmond. When we opened in 2000, we were the first all-rabbit shelter in the country; now multiple House Rabbit Society chapters also have rescue facilities throughout the nation.
The House Rabbit Society has grown from 300 members to thousands, with 27 chapters across the country, as well as in Canada, Italy and Australia. Since its founding, over 40,000 rabbits have been rescued across the U.S.
Our organization has already been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now we will most likely have to move to all-remote adoptions, (and) move all our rabbits out of the building into foster homes because of RHDV. We’re changing all of our practices to keep the bunnies safe.
Larissa Church, House Rabbit Society
DEAR LARISSA: Thank you for the alert, and for all you do in rescuing bunnies and finding them new homes. The highly-contagious virus targets only rabbits, both wild and tame, and is not a threat to humans or other animals.
Critical guidelines from the organization
- Keep your rabbit indoors and don’t let it mingle with rabbits outside the home.
- Rabbits can’t spread the disease to humans, but humans can spread it to rabbits, so wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the animals.
- Disinfect items that may be contaminated, just as you are doing now to protect against COVID-19.
- Mosquitoes and flies can transmit the virus, so make sure you have door and window screens in place.
- Know where your hay and feed sources are coming from, and avoid any from an outbreak area.
- Do not use foraged plants, grasses or tree branches as feed.
- If you get a new rabbit, quarantine it for at least 14 days.
- Keep dogs on leashes while outside so they do not interact with wild rabbits, alive or dead, and wash their paws before going back inside.
- Block dog access to areas where your rabbit lives or exercises.
- Keep cats indoors to prevent them from bringing the virus back home.
- Use a monthly flea treatment for rabbits, cats and dogs.
- Talk to your vet about getting your rabbit vaccinated. The vaccine, which is not widely available, won’t prevent all infections, but it will increase the chance of survival.
For more information, go to rabbit.org/rhdv. You also can sign up for a newsletter.
