Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease

Although this is a world-wide disease, we have been very lucky to have had only a few outbreaks in the United States. In several places in Europe and China, it is found in the wild populations of rabbits. In order to protect their domestic stock, many vaccinate their rabbits against RHD. At this time, vaccination against RHD is not allowed in the US. Also US wild rabbit populations(Cottontails or Jack rabbits) can not catch RHD.

The disease affects rabbits over 4 months of age. Signs of VHD include fever, mild lethargy, nasal discharge (yellowish-reddish color), convulsions, and terminal squeal. There is a 24-hour incubation time following initial exposure, and another 24 hours in which the disease takes its course. Generally, death occurs in 2 to 3 days after initial infection. Mortality is 50 to 90%. Gross pathology consists of diffuse necrosis of the liver (network pattern), darkened kidneys (black color due to occlusion of the blood supply), hemorrhages in the lungs (50% of the time), and coagulation of blood or clots in the arteries and organs which results in death due to stroke. Pathogenesis is initiated by oral exposure to the virus, and leads to enteritis (usually without diarrhea), acute hepatic necrosis, viremia, lymphoid necrosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and major venous thrombosis and infection. Differentials (other diseases with similar signs) include Enterotoxemia, snuffles, and bacteremia (DIC).

APHIS USDA GOVERNMENT

For the second time in 2001, an outbreak of RHD was confirmed in United States. The following is an Emergency Management Warning from USDA/APHIS in regards
to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD/VHD/RCD):

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Confirmed in a Captive Exotic Animal Facility in Flushing, New York

Two out of six rabbits on exhibit in the domestic animal section at acaptive exotic animal facility were found dead on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 2001, respectively. Two additional rabbits were in an off exhibit area for a total of eight rabbits in the collection. This is
not considered a zoonotic disease. Animals were necropsied by zoo pathologists and lesions consistent with rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD)were found. Samples from the dead rabbits were sent to the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) on Plum Island, NY. Test results
were positive by hemagglutination on one rabbit and negative on the other on Friday, December 7, 2001. A third exhibited rabbit died on Sunday, December 9, 2001.

The remaining rabbits were quarantined and isolated from other animals. The five remaining rabbits were euthanized on Monday, December 10, 2001, and additional samples will be sent to FADDL. Cleaning and disinfection of
the area will be done.

From the epidemiological data gathered so far, the source of the virus is unknown.

APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS), the State Department of Agriculture of New York, and facility managers are working together to address this situation. VS will assist the affected State in the depopulation and cleaning and
disinfecting of the premises. VS will also investigate reports of suspect RHD as part of its foreign
animal disease surveillance program and will continue to diagnose suspect cases at FADDL.

For more information on what you can do, go to the RHD Coalition

The following can be viewed at
http://www.kindplanet.org/vhd/december18update.html

Impact

The latest outbreak has created a stronger impact than the two initial incidents.
The issues we face stand out now in a way that we have not been able to see until now. It is important that all Rabbit people understand what we now know.
This infection site is a public facility located in a major metropolitan area. We have confirmed that local pet stores have not been advised to take
any precautions. Local Veterinarians have been informed of the outbreak by individuals, not the government. New York newspapers, television and radio programs have run no stories on the outbreak that we have found.
The site of the infection, the Wildlife Conservation Society's, (WCS)Queens Zoo/Wildlife Center, is a public facility. It has not closed pending knowledge
of full containment. Visitors are not warned or asked to step into foot baths after strolling through. Though several promises were made to get back to us, the media contacts of WCS have failed to do so.
We were told by the New York State Vet's office that they did not believe that the virus would escape the facility. This is not in alignment with what we know about the virus. It does not take into the consideration the sticky quality of RHD or it's hardiness, (please see
http://www.kindplanet.org/vhd/vhdvhd.html#table.
In order for this to be true, the originally contaminated
object/person/animal/insect
would have had to come in contact with no other people, items, insects, etc., until disinfected. How likely is that?
For those of you living close to the outbreak, please remember that your Rabbits are at risk for at least 90 days. The virus is viable on cloth at 68 degrees for 105 days. It has been 17 since the first death.
What the above tells us is that we have no protection. Not only are we lacking protections at our borders and protection through vaccines, we are also lacking protection through public awareness. The two earlier outbreaks
took place in rural areas. We saw press in those incidents. Now, when so many are threatened, there is none. Please look to the protection offered to US Cows, Pigs and Sheep during the recent outbreak of FMD in England. Our
position on the list of priorities in the eyes of the USDA is practically nonexistent.
In light of this, the Coalition has sent out a press release to New York media. It can be viewed at
http://www.kindplanet.org/vhd/decpressrelease.pdf We know that some of you will take issue with the points we are raising.
We are concerned with the impact complete awareness of the threats imposed by RHD on Rabbits, shelters and rescue. We are more concerned with the lack of awareness and the threats it creates. Many of us have been involved
in this struggle since 1995 individually. We have been working together since November of 1999. We do not believe that dead Rabbits will create the kind of press we need to create enough pressure to get the protections we need.
We do have some hope that the Universal Press Release Day will have an impact.
Rabbits and their caretakers near Flushing, New York cannot wait.