States take precautions against deadly rabbit virus

Washington rabbit owners recently lined up to get their pets vaccinated against rabbit hemorrhagic disease, a fatal virus that’s been sprouting up throughout the country.

The vaccine is more than 90% effective, Dr. Alicia McLaughlin told CBS News. McLaughlin, a Washington-based doctor, is reportedly the first veterinarian in the country to import the vaccine.

RHDV2 (rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2) doesn’t affect humans, but it’s often fatal in rabbits, with mortality rates reaching as high as 100%. Historically, it’s been found in Europe, so no American company has yet produced the vaccine. McLaughlin said people have been traveling hours to get their pets vaccinated.

So far, RHDV2 been found mostly in the Western United States, though it’s also been detected elsewhere. Tennessee’s state veterinarian recently issued an order prohibiting the importation of susceptible rabbit species from any area under quarantine for RHDV2. This comes after the disease was detected in neighboring Arkansas.

Additionally, any of those species entering Tennessee from a state that has had a confirmed case of the virus within the past eight months must get a certificate of veterinary inspection within 72 hours.

“It’s critical that we take steps immediately to keep RHDV2 out of Tennessee,” said state veterinarian Samantha Beaty. “The virus is just beyond our border, creating a serious risk to the rabbits in our state.”

The Associated Press has more.