The Minnesota Board of Animal Health reported outbreaks of a deadly and highly contagious disease in two rabbit colonies in Lake of the Woods County.
The disease, known as Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2, killed 15% of one colony and 50% of the other, according to the Board in a statement Friday, Sept. 25. The colonies were located less than a mile apart, though their owners say the animals had no contact.
The disease is not known to affect humans.
The Board stated the first outbreak was reported in August, after an owner brought a deceased rabbit to a local veterinarian for testing. The vet then sent samples to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, which confirmed the disease on Sept. 9.
The second outbreak happened about a week after the first.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus type 2, also known as RHDV2, causes internal bleeding. Veterinarian Steve Kivisto explained in the statement that rabbits who die of the disease may do so without many other symptoms.
“Unfortunately, one of the first things to appear in rabbits infected with RHDV2 is sudden death without any other obvious clinical signs,” Kivisto stated. “In many outbreaks, rabbits suffer from internal bleeding, which can be identified clinically by a blood stained nose, mouth, or rectum, followed shortly by death.”
The Board stated the disease can be prevented by vaccination and biosecurity. It urged owners to practice good hygiene and separation habits, especially when dealing with sick rabbits.
The Board has an online document on biosecurity for rabbits for additional information.
Owners who notice potential signs of the disease are encouraged to let their vet know, and dead animals should be reported to the Board at 651-296-2942.
