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MN Animal Board of Health investigating rabbit illness

By Doug Barrett Sep 29, 2021 | 7:51 AM

Two Ramsey County indoor rabbits have died suddenly from a highly contagious rabbit disease detected for the first time in Minnesota.

The University of Minnesota Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) sent samples to the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories, which confirmed Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2. The owner reported the rabbits were indoor pets and had no contact with other rabbits. The highly contagious virus affects domestic and wild rabbits.

The virus kills 70 to 90 percent of infected rabbits. RHDV2 is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected rabbits or indirectly through contact with infected carcasses, blood, urine, and feces.

There is not a vaccine approved for use in Minnesota. A private company in South Dakota is working on a vaccine similar to the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. The Minnesota Board plans to discuss the vaccine at its December 2021 quarterly meeting.

There is no known risk to humans.

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