Contagious and deadly rabbit disease found in California for first time, officials say

A highly contagious disease that can be lethal to domestic and wild rabbits was detected in California for the first time earlier this month, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease was diagnosed in a black-tailed jack rabbit carcass found in Palm Springs.

The disease “is not related to coronavirus; it is a calicivirus that does not affect humans or domestic animals other than rabbits,” Fish and Wildlife said in a news release. “At this time, no other California rabbit populations are known to be infected, but the disease has spread quickly in other states...”

Rabbits infected with the disease may have symptoms such as fever, swelling, internal bleeding and liver necrosis before experiencing sudden death, or display no symptoms at all.

“Unfortunately, we may also see impacts to species that depend on rabbits for food, as rabbits are a common prey species for many predators,” senior wildlife veterinarian Deana Clifford said in a statement.

People who come across rabbit carcasses should not handle them to prevent the spread of the disease, Fish and Wildlife officials said.

Hunters should wear gloves when field dressing rabbits and bury remains onsite so scavengers cannot spread the virus, according to the release.

“The virus is hardy and can remain viable on meat, fur, clothing and equipment for a very long time, making it easily transmissible to other areas,” Fish and Wildlife said.

CDFW is asking anyone who lives, works or recreates in wild rabbit habitat to report any sightings of sick or dead rabbits to CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Laboratory. To report sightings of sick or dead wild rabbits, hares or pikas, contact the CDFW Wildlife Investigations Lab at 916-358-2790 or file an online mortality report through CDFW’s website.

A vaccine for the disease is not available in the United States. Owners of domestic rabbits should take “biosecurity measures” to protect their animals by washing their hands before working with rabbits, not sharing equipment with other owners and keeping their animals isolated from feral rabbits.

This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 5:03 PM with the headline "Contagious and deadly rabbit disease found in California for first time, officials say."