On Sunday, March 14, 2021, a private veterinarian contacted the Oregon State Veterinarian to report a mortality event at a mobile home park in the Portland area (Milwaukee). The veterinarian had received a call regarding 8 dead feral rabbits that had been found, and was concerned about the risk of RHD. An ODA veterinarian conducted an investigation on-site on 3/15/2021, and submitted one carcass to OSU-OVDL that day. Final results were received from NVSL on 3/24/2021 confirming Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease – Type 2 Virus (RHDV2).

An interagency response was immediately initiated by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The USDA AHPIS Wildlife Services is assisting ODFW in control and sampling of feral and wild rabbits in the control area.

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RHD Resources Available

ODA has created a webpage with up to date information and guidance for rabbit owners (https://oda.direct/rhd). Additional updates will be posted to this page as more information becomes available and as the situation progresses. Resources available include fliers, biosecurity recommendations, and FAQ documents for rabbit owners.

ODA RHD Web Page

Reporting Hotline

ODA is encouraging veterinarians and rabbit owners to report deaths or owned, feral, or wild rabbits. A toll-free hotline is available at 1-800-347-7028. An online reporting form is also available on ODA's RHD web page. A poster with symptoms, biosecurity tips, and reporting information is available.

RHD Information Poster

Interactive Outbreak Map

To increase public awareness and assist in control efforts, ODA has created an interactive map showing confirmed cases of RHD. This map will be updated with any confirmed cases in new locations.

Interactive Map

RHD Vaccine

While RHD vaccine is available in countries where RHD is endemic, there is not currently any licensed vaccines available in the US. The USDA will approve importation in limited situations where RHD cases have been detected. ODA is working with the USDA to determine ability to approve importation of RHD vaccine for use in Oregon. It is likely that vaccine will be approved for use in the Portland metro area, with the potential for expanded availability if additional cases are detected. More information on vaccine approvals will be shared when available.

If you or your practice would be interested in obtaining RHD vaccine for administration to rabbits located in approved areas, please take the survey linked below to help ODA gauge potential interest and determine the best means for importing/distributing vaccine

Take RHD Vaccine Interest Survey

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