Fatal disease that only affects rabbits, hares confirmed in Ontario for first time

Officials say they have confirmed rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RDHV-2), an often fatal disease specifically affecting rabbits and hares, in Ontario for the first time.

According to a statement sent to CityNews by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), the two cases were detected in two pet rabbits in Lambton County and confirmed by officials on June 10.

The statement said a quarantine was put on the place where the rabbits were. CFIA staff said they conducted an investigation in consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and no high-risk contacts that could have seen the disease spread were identified.

However, officials didn’t indicate how the two pet rabbits might have acquired the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus. There is no treatment available for RDHV-2.

Both government entities described the virus seen in rabbits as “highly contagious.” Pet rabbits and European rabbit breeds are at heightened risk, but the risk of infection to native rabbit species is less.

“The virus is not transmissible to humans or other livestock or companion animals but is fatal in rabbits and hares,” Belinda Sutton, a spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, told CityNews in a statement.

“Owners and producers must continue to be vigilant and follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their rabbits.”

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In a background document on the virus, CFIA staff said rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus can cause rabbits to be sick within one to five days of being infected and death can occur suddenly or after a short period of illness.

They said clinical symptoms can include fever, depression, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, groaning, blood spots in the eyes, frothy or bloody discharge from the nose, difficulty walking, paddling of the legs, seizures and/or paralysis.

As for how it is transmitted, CFIA staff said direct contact with saliva or other fluid discharge, manure, infected fur and/or carcasses between rabbits is the most common way. They noted the virus can be spread by people through their hands or clothing after coming into contact with infected rabbits, by car tires after a vehicle goes through an area where infected rabbits were, or through imports of infected live rabbits or rabbit products.

“While meat from rabbits infected with RHD is not known to cause illness in humans, the handling and movement of their meat can contribute to the spread of the virus,” the document said.

“Since the virus is very resistant in the environment and survives temperature extremes, including freezing, anyone handling rabbits or rabbit meat is strongly encouraged to follow good hygiene practices.”

Meanwhile, officials encouraged people who own rabbits to contact their veterinarian if it’s suspected there is illness.