All articles tagged with #rhdv 2
A lethal rabbit virus (RHDV-2) has been detected in Utah’s wild rabbits in Summit and Tooele counties, prompting the Division of Wildlife Resources to urge hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to handle rabbits and carcasses with precautions; the disease is highly infectious to rabbits and hares but not known to affect humans or livestock, and cases in Utah’s wild populations have been rare since 2022.
Utah wildlife officials confirmed detection of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV-2) in wild rabbits in the Kamas area and Tooele County, marking the first wild rabbit cases in Utah since 2022. RHDV-2 causes internal bleeding and sudden death in rabbits; it does not affect humans or livestock, but can spread via infected carcasses, meat, fur, or contaminated materials. Officials urge caution when handling carcasses, decontaminate gear, and cook rabbit meat to 165°F; report suspected cases to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.