Rabbit Hemorrhagic

Disease

The first report of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD)

in the Western Hemisphere occurred in December

1988, when the disease was detected in domestic

rabbits in the Mexico City area. The outbreak was

traced to a shipment of 18 metric tons of frozen rabbit carcasses from China that had been delivered to a

supermarket chain outside Mexico City.

In February 1989, the Mexican Government

began a control and eradication program that 

included quarantine of infected farms, prohibition of

movement or sale of rabbits, voluntary destruction of

diseased rabbits, and cleaning, disinfecting, and

repopulating premises after a 2–month waiting period. The campaign was successful: there have been

no reported cases since 1992. To date, Mexico is the

only country to succeed in eradicating RHD.

RHD was first documented in the Unites States in

Iowa in April 2000. Since that time, RHD has also

been confirmed in Utah, Illinois, New York, and

Indiana. To contain these outbreaks, more than

5,000 rabbits have been euthanized.

Clinical Signs 

RHD damages the liver, intestines, and lymphatic

tissue and causes significant hemorrhage (bleeding)

into many different organs. The incubation period is

about 24 to 48 hours. RHD predominantly affects

adult rabbits and young adults (> 2 months of age)

which die suddenly within 6 to 24 hours of the onset

of fever with few clinical signs. Fever may be as high

as 105 oF (40.5 oC) but often is not detected until rabbits show terminal clinical signs. Most animals

appear depressed or reluctant to move in the final

hours and may show a variety of neurologic signs,

including excitement, incoordination, paddling, and

opisthotonos (abnormal position of the head due to

spasms of the muscles at the top and back of the

neck). Some affected rabbits may have a foamy,

bloody nasal discharge. The death rate for RHD

ranges from 50 to 100 percent.

How RHD Spreads 

RHD is caused by a highly contagious virus. The

disease can be transmitted by contact with infected

rabbits, rabbit products (such as meat and hides),

rodents, and contaminated objects, such as cages,

feeders, and clothing. The virus may also be carried

short distances through moisture in the air. The risk

of spread of RHD is higher when confined rabbits are

in close contact with each other. Infected rabbits that

recover may become carriers of the virus and may

shed virus for at least 4 weeks.

Impact of Disease Spread 

If RHD were to become established in the United

States, it would have a significant impact on domestic

rabbits in North America. Producers of domestic rabbits receive about $10 million each year from the sale

of rabbit meat and pelts in the United States. The

value of rabbits raised for research in the United

States is about $15 million a year.

This estimated total value of $25 million a year

does not include several factors such as the impact

on the availability of rabbits for research and the production of medical diagnostic materials, and the

value, both monetary and emotional, of the pet and

show rabbit industry.

Disease Prevention 

To protect against the introduction of RHD into the

U.S. rabbit population, owners and producers should

avoid contact between their rabbits and imported rabbit meat, pelts, or other possibly contaminated

objects from RHD–affected countries.

To prevent the spread of the disease if it enters

the United States, rabbit owners should prevent contact between healthy rabbits and infected rabbits and

contaminated objects (e.g., cages, feeders, and clothing). Rabbits that appear healthy can be in the early

stage of RHD and later spread the disease.

Recovered rabbits also appear healthy but can be

carriers for at least 4 weeks and spread the disease

to other rabbits.

Owners should be cautious and isolate new rabbits and rabbits returning from shows for at least 5

days. If rabbits have been exposed to RHD, isolation

may help prevent spread to other rabbits. Clinical

disease usually will be noticeable within 48 hours of

infection.

If RHD is suspected, rabbit owners should clean

and disinfect all equipment to prevent spread of the

virus. After a thorough cleaning, rabbit owners

should disinfect equipment with a 10–percent household bleach solution of 1 part bleach and 9 parts

water to inactivate the virus.

Vaccine 

No vaccine for RHD is legally available for use in

the United States. However, vaccine has been used

in other countries. Vaccination can reduce the number of rabbits dying from RHD but cannot eradicate

Factsheet

Veterinary Services June 2005

APHIS
the disease. Rabbits vaccinated against RHD may

become infected but not show signs of disease, 

thereby allowing spread of the virus due to this carrier

state.

Report Possible Disease

Veterinarians and rabbit owners who suspect a

rabbit may have RHD should immediately contact

State or Federal animal health authorities.

Additional Information

For more information, contact 

U.S. Department of Agriculture 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 

Veterinary Services, Emergency Management 

4700 River Road, Unit 41 

Riverdale, MD 20737–1231 

Telephone: (301) 734–8073 

Fax: (301) 734–7817

United States Department of Agriculture • Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • Safeguarding American Agriculture

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