Threats and Stressors

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2)

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHDV2) was detected in Palm Springs in March 2020 and Ramona in April 2021. It is highly contagious and often lethal to wild and domestic rabbits, hares, and pikas. Infected rabbits may or may not exhibit symptoms leading up to their death. Symptoms are rabbits may suffer are fever, swelling, inappetence, lethargy, spasms, breathing difficulties, blue colored lips or mucous membranes, bleeding from body cavities, and liver necrosis. The disease is transmitted to rabbits through contact with other infected rabbits or carcasses, their meat or their fur, contaminated food or water, or materials coming into contact with them. The virus can persist in the environment for a very long time, making disease control efforts extremely challenging once in wild rabbit populations.
Project Focus

Sarah McCutcheon

File name Lead Author Year Type
Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) Contaminated Premises US Department of Agriculture 2020 fact sheet
Quick Facts About Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease California Department of Fish & Wildlife 2021 fact sheet
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHDV2) Overview 2021 powerpoint presentation