MINNEAPOLIS – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health is confirming a deadly disease in a Hennepin County pet rabbit.
Officials say the death is linked to Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2, or RHDV-2.
The positive rabbit was lethargic, quiet, and limped before it died in late July. RHDV-2 is a highly contagious virus, but poses no risk to humans.
Rabbit owners are encouraged to wash their hands before and after handling the animals, limit visitors, keep them indoors if possible, and separate outdoor domestic rabbits from wild rabbits.
There is a vaccine for RHDV-2.