Today the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) announced that the state's first case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus has been found in three domestic rabbits in La Crosse County!
To learn more and to see a list of frequently asked questions, visit DATCP's RHD webpage.
Additional Resources
- USDA APHIS: rabbit hemorrhagic disease fact sheet
- DATCP: RHDV2 vaccine announcement
- DATCP: biosecurity guidelines to protect rabbits
- DNR: rabbit hemorrhagic disease information
- DNR: report a wildlife disease
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) is a highly contagious fatal calicivirus that was first found in the United States in 2018. Original outbreaks occurred in the Pacific Northwest and Ohio. It has slowly spread throughout the west coast and is moving its way east and throughout the south. The cases can be tracked on the USDA website.
Read our original blog from this last October:
"Vaccine NOW available at Brook-Falls For Lethal Rabbit Virus"?
Brook-Falls has been able to provide this vaccine for our clients since last October and will continue to have it available. If we have seen your rabbit for an examination within the past 4 months, you may make an appointment with a technician for the vaccine. You will stay with your rabbit in the hospital for 20 minutes after the vaccine to monitor for any immediate allergic reactions. You must be available to come back in 3 weeks for the second vaccine. Both vaccine administration appointments will be made during your initial call to schedule. If your rabbit has not had an examination by one of our veterinarians in the past 4 months, your rabbit will need an appointment with the doctor for an exam and then they can receive the first vaccine. The booster vaccines can be given by a technician.
Since this is such a lethal virus for rabbits, we recommend all rabbits be vaccinated for RHDV2. Please contact us to set up an appointment now!