Deadly rabbit virus detected in Windsor-Essex
A highly transmissible and very deadly rabbit virus has been found in a pet rabbit in Windsor-Essex.
The humane society and other organizations are working hard to get the word out to stop the spread of RHDV-2, or rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, to keep both wild and domestic rabbits from dying.
The virus recently claimed two pet rabbits in Lambton County, marking the first time this rabbit virus has been diagnosed in Ontario. The origin of the infection remains unknown.
“It's a very serious disease and hemorrhagic refers to like internal bleeding,” said Kenneth Ng, a professor and biochemistry researcher at The University of Windsor. “And so the rabbits die from sort of massive internal bleeding, failure of major organ systems and happens quite quickly.”
Ng says it’s very infectious, with a mortality rate of about 90 per cent. Rabbits that contract the virus can die in a matter of days.
“I think there's fear that it will could infect wild populations as well as in domesticated populations,” he said, which is a different strain than the rabbit virus which was prevalent in Europe, Asia and Australia in the late 1980s.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was notified of the infections by the province and immediately engaged in discussions to collaborate on next steps, which included surveillance and tracing of potentially-infected or exposed animals, quarantine and disinfection of infected premises.
“An investigation has been completed and no high-risk contacts have been identified that could result in spread of the disease from this premise. The CFIA is collaborating with the province and continues to monitor the situation,” the CFIA said in a statement.
The disease cannot be passed onto humans or other pets, but the transmissibility and mortality rate is raising concerns among people in the animal rescue community.
Emily Regier is the co-founder of Rabbit Wranglers Windsor-Essex. Because of the local case, her rabbit fosters can’t take in any domestic rabbits for fear of rapid transmission.
“They can't even come into the home. So now that cuts off a lot of our foster list and that cuts off as well for the humane society right because no contact can come between them,” Regier said.
There is a vaccine for RHDV-2 but it’s not licensed in Canada. The Windsor-Essex County Humane Society and some local vets are working to obtain this vaccine to ensure adoptable bunnies are protected.
Without the vaccine, Regier says people with pet rabbits should quarantine their rabbits if they notice symptoms like bleeding or lethargy, and not let them outside.
“We would highly recommend against that right now. Just because you don't know anymore what's out there,” she said.
Because the virus spreads through fluid secretions, Regier also recommends those with pet rabbits remove their shoes before entering the house and wash your hands thoroughly before petting your bunny.
“Just being aware that that is you know that is a threat at the moment and just taking every precaution that you can,” said Regier.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.