A highly contagious and deadly virus affecting rabbits and hares has been detected for the first time in Ontario.
Two cases of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus – 2 (RHDV-2) were reported in early June in Lambton County, southwestern Ontario. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, previously recorded in Alberta, BC, and Quebec, is not known to affect humans or other species.
“This is the first time RHDV-2 has been diagnosed in Ontario,” the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) said in a statement to CTVNews.ca. “The source of the infection is unknown at this time.”
Infected rabbits were in the same home, which was quarantined after diagnosis.
“An investigation has been completed and no high-risk contacts have been identified that could lead to the spread of the disease from this premise,” the CFIA spokesman said. “The CFIA is collaborating with the province and continues to monitor the situation.”
According to the CFIA, rabbit hemorrhagic disease “is a sudden, highly contagious and deadly viral disease” that is spread by contact with body fluids, feces and infected objects. Symptoms include fever, loss of appetite, blood stains on the eyes, frothy and bleeding discharge from the nose, and neurological signs such as difficult walking and paralysis.
“After being exposed to the virus, rabbits usually get sick in one to five days,” explains a CFIA fact sheet. “Death is common after a short period of illness. Death can also occur suddenly without signs.”
The CFIA says pet rabbits and European breeds have a higher risk of infection. Anyone who suspects that their rabbit is ill with a haemorrhagic disease of the rabbit should contact their veterinarian immediately.
“The best way for owners and producers to protect their rabbits is to routinely follow strict biosecurity measures as stated on our website,” the CFIA spokesman told CTVNews.ca. These measures include thoroughly disinfecting equipment and restricting contact with animals.
Vaccines against rabies hemorrhagic disease are available in Europe and the US, but are not commercially approved in Canada. Canadian veterinarians can apply for vaccines through the CFIA. In 2018, vaccines were imported from France amid an outbreak in BC
Although consumption has been steadily declining in Canada, rabbit meat is not uncommon in countries such as China, Italy, Spain and France. According to Statistics Canada, there were about 1,500 rabbit farms in Canada in 2021, down from nearly 6,400 in 1996; Ontario has the majority.
“While rabbit meat infected with [rabbit hemorrhagic disease] It is not known to cause disease in humans, the handling and movement of their meat can contribute to the spread of the virus, “says the CFIA fact sheet.” Because the virus is highly resistant to the environment and survives temperatures extremes, including freezing, It is recommended that anyone handling rabbits or rabbit meat follow good hygiene practices. “
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is found throughout Europe and in Australia, New Zealand, Cuba and parts of Africa and Asia. Outbreaks have been reported in Canada and the United States from time to time, including in 2011, 2016, and 2018.
“Rabbits can be infected by direct contact with other infected rabbits or by contact with the virus in their environment, including bedding, housing, dishes, insects such as flies and mosquitoes, etc.” a spokesman for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs told CTVNews.ca. “People can accidentally bring the virus home with clothes and shoes. RHDV-2 can also be transmitted with fresh or fed feed and hay that comes from an endemic area.”