SALT LAKE CITY — Rabbit Disease Detected in Utah
A highly contagious and often deadly viral disease that affects rabbits has been found in Utah’s wildlife for the first time in four years.
In late May, dead cottontail rabbits discovered in the Kamas area and black-tailed jackrabbits in Tooele County tested positive for rabbit hemorrhagic disease, RHDV-2, as confirmed by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources on Tuesday.
This marks the first instance of the disease in Utah rabbits for this year, following a case involving a domestic rabbit last year. The previous wild cases in Utah occurred in 2022, with the disease previously identified in Iron, Sanpete, San Juan, Uintah, and Wayne counties since its introduction to the U.S. in 2020.
RHDV-2 is a viral infection that affects both domestic and wild rabbit species, disrupting their blood clotting abilities and causing internal hemorrhaging. Symptoms include “sudden death and blood-stained noses” resulting from internal bleeding, according to information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The virus spreads through contact with infected rabbits, such as through their meat, fur, or other contaminated materials. Utah is one of over a dozen states that have reported cases of the disease.
According to veterinarian Ginger Stout, the disease does not pose a risk to humans or livestock. However, she emphasizes the need for Utah residents to be cautious when handling rabbit or hare carcasses to help prevent the spread of this and other infectious diseases.
“The virus can survive for months in the environment and can be transmitted from dead rabbits or via contaminated food, water, and materials like the urine or feces of infected rabbits or even through predators that have consumed sick rabbits,” she mentioned. “People can unintentionally carry the virus on their clothing or shoes after walking near deceased rabbits.”
Utah wildlife officials are urging the public to report any suspected cases of the disease, highlighting the challenges of controlling it once it becomes established in the wild.
If you observe rabbits or hares showing signs of bleeding from their mouths or noses, it’s advisable to take a photo and report it to your local Utah Division of Wildlife Resources office, including the location of the sighting.
The agency also recommends avoiding harvesting any rabbits that seem sick or lethargic, thoroughly decontaminating equipment used while cleaning harvested rabbits, and ensuring all meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
