3d • Health and Wellness
RHVD AND RHVD2
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD / RHDV2)
Highly contagious viral hepatitis of rabbits (Lagovirus) with 50–100% mortality. Affects domestic and wild rabbits and hares. Not transmissible to humans or other livestock.
Transmission
Direct:
Rabbit-to-rabbit contact
Oral and respiratory exposure
Indirect (high risk):
Fomites (cages, feeders, clothing, shoes, hands)
Insects (flies)
Contaminated feed, forage, bedding
Carcasses/environment
Mechanical spread through people and equipment is well documented �
campagnolo2003.pdf
Timelines (Understand This Correctly)
1. True Incubation (lab):
Typically 1–3 days
2. Acute Disease Course:
Death often 12–72 hours after fever onset
Many cases = sudden death
3. Field Exposure Timeline (real-world):
Can extend weeks after exposure due to:
low-dose vector transmission
partial immunity (prior exposure/vaccine)
subclinical infection
repeated exposure
Clinical Signs
Sudden death (common)
Fever, lethargy, anorexia
Respiratory distress
Neurologic signs (paddling, seizures)
Blood/froth from nose (not always present)
Carriers & Shedding
Subclinical infections occur
Survivors can shed virus ~1 month or longer �
campagnolo2003.pdf
Vaccinated rabbits can still carry and shed
Quarantine
14 days = insufficient alone
30 days minimum
45+ days preferred in higher-risk situations
When to Report
RHD is a reportable disease (U.S.)
Report when:
Sudden unexplained deaths
Cluster deaths
Strong clinical suspicion
Do NOT wait for lab confirmation
Report as suspected pending confirmation
Diagnosis
Confirm via PCR (liver preferred)
Necropsy findings supportive but not definitive
Control
Vaccination (where available)
Strict biosecurity
Insect control
No outside forage in outbreak zones
Proper disinfection (clean first, then disinfect)
Key Reality
RHD is not just a fast outbreak disease anymore.
It is now:
rapid and lethal in some cases
silent and persistent in others
That combination is what makes it dangerous.
Resources linked on premium )
RHVD2 PREVENT DIAGNOSIS
Rhd
2020
2021
2020a
2003
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RHVD AND RHVD2
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