A Richmond-based rescue society is warning of a “devastating” rabbit virus that is says is closing in on B.C.
The deadly Rabbit Hemmorhagic Disease Virus previously wreaked havoc on domestic rabbit populations on Vancouver Island, the Lower Mainland and in Washington State, U.S. in 2018.
But a new variant of RDHV2 – which first surfaced in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico in spring 2020 – is much deadlier, according to Rabbitats Rescue Society, killing not just imported European domestic rabbits kept as pets and farm animals, but also native hares and rabbits.
The virus has since been moving north, reaching Oregon, Idaho and Montana within a year – and was recently found in five deceased domestic rabbits near Lethbridge, Alta.
No one has been able to trace where the Alberta virus came from, which makes it particularly concerning, according to Sorelle Saidman, Rabbitats’ founder.
“RDHV2 had recently reached feral rabbit colonies in Billings, Montana, so we were expecting it to hit Alberta eventually, but the Alberta deaths were house rabbits hundreds of miles away that hadn’t been outside in months, nor had they been exposed to new rabbits coming into the home,” Saidman said in a statement.
“This means the virus can pop up anywhere. It’s also affecting rabbits in Northern Oregon. B.C. is surrounded and it’s moving closer.”
However, the virus cannot spread to other animals or people.
According to Rabbitats, domestic rabbit colonies can fuel the virus.
These domestic colonies are also a growing issue throughout Western Canada, particularly in Richmond, as well as throughout Metro Vancouver, central Vancouver Island and Calgary and Canmore in Alberta.
The virus could also affect already threatened populations of native rabbits, including a rare type of snowshoe hare found in the Lower Mainland, according to Rabbitats.
Vaccination clinics planned
In response to the virus, Rabbitats has been working with veterinarians to help facilitate and promote a vaccine that’s being imported from France.
Rabbit owners are urged to practice good “biosecurity,” and to contact their veterinarians about the vaccine.
Meanwhile, the society will be holding two drive-through clinics at the Richmond Auto Mall on May 16 and May 23.
Dr. Joseph Martinez from the Cypress Street Animal Clinic in Vancouver and Dr. Jennifer Miller from the Allondale Animal Hospital in Surrey are donating their time for the clinics.
According to Rabbitats, preference will be given to rabbits fostered or adopted through the society, but others are welcome to register for the clinics, which will be by appointment only.
Funds raised from these clinics will also go towards the vaccination costs of the rabbits in Rabbitats’ care. Suggested donations range from $30 to $40, depending on the number of rabbits to be vaccinated.
The society also runs the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease News Network on Facebook and has formed the Alberta Rabbit Alliance as a communication hub for rabbit owners in that province.
