Live with Belle the Harris Hawk | How the Rabbit Disease can affect wildlife and her hunting
Martin & Belle will host a livestream on Friday July 3rd at 7pm Utah time.
This livestream will cover the topic of the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease:
– The origins of the disease
– The spread of the disease – where and how
– Domestic rabbits vs Wild Rabbits
– How does it go from domestic to wild?
– Native Species vs Exotics/domestics
– How does it affect Pet Owners?
– How does it affect Farmers?
– How does it affect vets/rehabbers?
– How does it affect wildlife?
– How does it affect Falconers?
– How does it affect Belle?
– Some possible scenarios of how there can be broader effects seasonally and long term
– Some possible scenarios of how effects can branch out and affect many species and regions.
– What can people do?
– What can be done to stop the spread?
Information about this disease from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources:
What is rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and how does it impact rabbits?
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease serotype 2 (RHDV-2) is classified as a foreign animal disease in the U.S. RHDV-2 is not related to the coronavirus responsible for COVID-19. Both domestic and wild rabbits, as well as pikas, are susceptible to the disease, and infection results in 80–100% mortality.
Rabbits may become sick one to five days after exposure and have symptoms of fever, lethargy, a lack of appetite, difficulty breathing and frothy blood coming from their nose just prior to death. The virus causes liver inflammation that prevents blood from clotting and eventually the rabbit dies from internal hemorrhage (bleeding). There is no treatment for RHDV-2.
How is the disease spread?The virus can survive for months in the environment, and rabbits can be infected by direct contact to sick rabbits or through contact with the urine or feces of sick rabbits or through contact with feces from predators that have eaten infected rabbits. Rabbits can also be infected through contact with contaminated surfaces or items (including the boots and clothing of people who have been in contact with the disease).
When was the disease confirmed in rabbits in Utah?First identified in domestic rabbits in Europe, the disease has been detected in multiple southwestern states and northern Mexico in early 2020. On June 22, 2020, the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food confirmed that a private farm with domestic rabbits in Sanpete County had rabbits that tested positive for the disease.
How can you tell if a rabbit has the disease?Infected wild rabbits may be lethargic and not flee when approached. Prior to death, they may have bloody discharge coming out of their nose.
Can it spread to people?No, people are not susceptible to RHDV-2. However, humans can carry the virus from one location to the other on clothing, contaminated items and boots.
Can it spread to my dog?No, dogs and other animals are not susceptible to RHDV-2. However, similarly to people, dogs could carry the disease from one place to another.
What should I do if I find a dead rabbit in the wild?If you see multiple dead rabbits in an area, please contact the nearest Utah Division of Wildlife Resources office and wildlife officials will determine whether the animals should be sent in for testing. Always wear disposable gloves when handling a dead animal, and wash your hands thoroughly after. Rabbit carcasses that are not fresh enough to be tested should be double bagged and disposed of by deep burial or landfill.
What should I do if I suspect my pet rabbits have the disease?Prevent contact between your domestic rabbits and any wild rabbits. If you think your pet rabbit has the disease, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Could a cottontail or snowshoe rabbit that I harvest during a hunt have the disease?The disease is highly infectious and causes rapid death, so if the rabbit you harvested seemed to act normally at the time of the hunt, it is unlikely that it has the disease. However, if you notice any discoloration or hemorrhages on internal organs after harvesting the rabbit or if you see anything that may appear abnormal or a cause for concern, please contact your local DWR office.
Additional Resources
Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
wildlife.utah.gov/rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease.html
Utah Department of Agricultural and Food
ag.utah.gov/farmers/animal-industry/animal-health-program/rabbit-hemorrhagic-disease/
Iowa University Fact Sheet
www.cfsph.iastate.edu/Factsheets/pdfs/rabbit_hemorrhagic_disease.pdf
USDA Fact Sheet
www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf
USDA Extended Information
www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/emergency_management/downloads/sop/sop_rhd_e-e.pdf
Utah Guide for Falconers
wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/rhdv2_guidance_for_falconers.pdf
Utah Guide for Rehabbers
wildlife.utah.gov/diseases/rhdv2_guidance_for_rehabilitators.pdf
AVMA: Virus killing rabbits in Western US
www.avma.org/javma-news/2020-07-15/virus-killing-rabbits-western-us
Map of affected counties
usda-aphis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=37791da88ef04cd08404a5794aaf0be3