It’s not in Missouri or any of our neighboring states yet, but a dangerous virus has already caused county fairs and even the state fair to cancel their rabbit shows. Missouri State Veterinarian Doctor Steve Strubberg says rabbit owners might not know the disease is in their herd until it starts claiming lives.

While the virus, Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus serotype two or RHDV-2, only impacts rabbits, it can last on surfaces for weeks, making biosecurity paramount to preventing its spread.

Missouri State Veterinarian Doctor Steve Strubberg says that if you come across a dead rabbit to contact a local veterinarian and handle only with protective gear. While RHDV-2 does not infect humans, a rabbit carcass can harbor other diseases such as tularemia or the plague.

Additional details are available on the Missouri Department of Agriculture website.