Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Spreads East

by
posted on September 16, 2022
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Rabbit

Rabbit hunters on the eastern seaboard be warned—Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (RHDVT2) appears to be spreading in a select few states and Canada. Rabbits have been reported as dropping dead from the sickness in Quebec, Connecticut, New York and South Carolina. While this is reason for pause, there is as of yet no reason for panic. In Connecticut where the disease was discovered, 14 rabbits died in a herd, with the initial 13 succumbing during the first 24 hours. A similar story came out of Greenville County, South Carolina where most of a feral herd died, with the surviving members being held in quarantine. That said, concerns are mounting.

RHDVT2 is an extremely fatal disease for bunnies, with only about a 30-percent chance of survival. Symptoms include anorexia, lethargy, conjunctivitis, respiratory signs, and bloodstained noses or mouths. Luckily, humans cannot contract the disease, but they can transmit it through contact with infected rabbits, water or (in a domestic setting) feed. The disease was first detected out West in 2018, and quickly has become an epidemic in the Western states.

“The introduction of RHDV2 to wild rabbits in South Carolina poses a serious threat to wild populations and has contributed to significant mortality events in the western United States. It is important that we do what we can to prevent contact between infected feral rabbits and wild rabbits,” said Will Dillman, assistant chief of wildlife for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

For more information on the disease and how to contain its spread, check out the fact sheet at aphis.usda.gov/.

Latest

Gear Lede Image
Gear Lede Image

Junior Hunter Gear: Get Your Kids Into the Field

Looking for ways to get your fields out from behind the screens and into the great outdoors this summer? Check out these great pieces of outdoor kit to help spur the process.

Stealth Cam Adds On-Demand Livestream

Shortly after teasing the launch of its new trail camera functionality at the 2025 SHOT Show, Stealth Cam has announced that On Demand Live Stream is available via the Command Pro app.

#SundayGunday: Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 A.I.

On this week's #SundayGunday, Digital Associate Editor David Herman talks with Benelli Vice President Tim Joseph about Benelli's new Super Black Eagle 3 with A.I. barrel technology.

NRA Foundation Awards $13,500 in College Scholarships

The National Rifle Association is proud to announce the Grand Scholarship winners from the 2024 Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.)—a group of exceptional students selected for their leadership, initiative, and dedication to advancing NRA programs within their communities.

Recipe: Bacon-Rolled Elk Burgers

Brad Fenson whips up his classic Bacon Rolled Elk Burgers in this week's recipe.

First Look: Chiappa Firearms Rhino Revolver

Chiappa Firearms is expanding its Rhino series by introducing two new revolvers chambered in the powerful, versatile 10mm Auto.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.