Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 

Important Updates

As you are probably aware by now, the first case of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) was recently identified in Connecticut. The infected pet rabbit was from a home in Hartford County and presented to Central Hospital along with another deceased rabbit from the same household.

After obtaining a detailed history from the owner, the attending emergency clinician suspecting an infectious and contagious etiology, maintained a strict isolation protocol while bringing the animals into the hospital and she, as well as the assisting staff, donned full PPE. The rabbits were examined in an isolated room, and standard infectious disease cleaning protocols were used after the rabbits were removed from the room. The state veterinarian was immediately contacted and the deceased rabbit, as well as several other deceased rabbits at the residence, were received by the UCONN Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory and from there sent to Plum Island for diagnostic testing.

Click on the button below to read the press release. 

In an effort to disseminate accurate information to our staff, Dr. Julia Shakeri and Dr. Sneha Krishnan, of the Avian and Exotics Service at Central Hospital, have created the following documents. We hope you will find them helpful should you see rabbits at your practice.  

The vaccine for RHDV2 has a very short shelf-life once opened. Central Hospital is currently compiling more information and we may consider offering vaccination of pet rabbits by holding a one-day vaccine clinic. We will let you know as things develop.

If you would like to receive a PDF of either of the above documents, click here. Please include which hospital you are with.