Summary Reports

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in Indiana, United States 2005

An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) occurred in a backyard rabbitry in Vanderburgh County, Indiana, on May 27, 2005. The outbreak was confined to the index premises where 104 rabbits were euthanized on June 8. Cleaning and disinfection followed the euthanization.

A Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) investigation conducted by USDA Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, the Indiana Board of Animal Health and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture was initiated on June 3, 2005. The investigators found that many of the 200 rabbits on the premises suddenly died during the previous 10 days. The investigation revealed that about a dozen rabbits from Kentucky had recently been introduced into the herd. All investigations related to this incident were considered closed as of June 23, 2005. The investigation did not reveal a possible origin of the infection.

The US rabbit industry is multi-faceted and comprised of meat and fur production, research rabbit production and hobbyists who raise rabbits for pets, shows and private consumption. The US does export rabbits and rabbit products, but its share of world exports is small. US imports of rabbits and rabbit products are also small when compared to other livestock industry imports.

Source: CEI impact worksheet, World Organization of Animal Health (OIE), ProMedMail

For additional information, please see the Center for Emerging Issues (CEI) Impact Worksheet on RHD in the US at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/worksheets.htm.

Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease, Cuba 2005

On January 21, 2005, the OIE received a report of an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in Havana City and Havana province of Cuba. This is the first outbreak of RHD in Cuba since 2001. As of December 28, 2004, animals affected totaled 14,450, with 2,362 deaths. Cuba issued a disease alert, enhanced surveillance and banned movement of rabbits in and around the outbreak.

Cuba did not produce live rabbits or rabbit meat for export in 2003 or 2004.

For additional information, please see the Center for Emerging Issues (CEI) Impact Worksheet on RHD in Cuba at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/ceah/cei/worksheets.htm.

Source: CEI impact worksheet, World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease, Uruguay 2004

Uruguay: An outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) was reported on December 28, 2004. The outbreak involved backyard domestic rabbits in suburban areas in the city of Montevideo, Uruguay. RHD cases were also found in adjacent areas in the departments of Canelones and San Jose. Over 2,800 rabbits from 45 sites have died, and over 1,800 more have been destroyed. Control measures include culling of sick rabbits, disinfecting of premises, vector control, and a ban on rabbit movement. The US did not import any live rabbits or rabbit products from Uruguay in 2003 or 2004. This is the first report of RHD in Uruguay. The only countries in the Americas to have reported outbreaks of RHD in the past are Mexico, Cuba, and the US.

For additional information, please see the Center for Emerging Issues (CEI) Impact Worksheet on RHD in Uruguay at http://www.aphis.usda/gov/vs/ceah/cei/worksheets.htm.

Source: OIE

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease in Cuba 2001

In October 2001, Cuba reported to the OIE 7 new outbreaks of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), all in Havana province, that occurred between May and late September. Cuba initially reported 3 outbreaks of RHD in January 2001. Periodic follow-up reports indicate that new cases continued to occur. The last reported outbreak prior to the 2001 cases was in 1997.

Source: OIE reports, Jan 26, 2001, Oct 12, 2001.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease in the US 2001

In early December 2001, rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) was confirmed in a domestic rabbit housed in a captive exotic animal facility in Flushing, New York. This is the third confirmed occurrence of RHD in the US. The previous 2 outbreaks occurred in August 2001 in a rabbitry in Utah, and in March 2000 on a premises with pet rabbits in Iowa. The source of these outbreaks was not established.

Source: APHIS Emergency Management Warning, Dec 13, 2001; CEI Impact worksheets.

Viral Hemorrhagic Disease of Rabbits in USA 2001

August 2001 -- VDHR was confirmed on 17 August 2001 in a rabbitry in Utah County, Utah. As of 20 August, 65 of the approximately 750 rabbits on the premises had died. The remainder were depopulated. The premises were quarantined, and tracebacks identified 3 establishments in Utah, Montana and Illinois with contact to the affected premises, all of which were placed under quarantine. This was the second occurrence of VHDR in the US. The first outbreak occurred April 2000 in Iowa; that outbreak remained limited to one premises and the origin of infection was not determined.

Sources: ProMed; OIE Disease Information Report; and APHIS-Veterinary Services, Iowa