In the inaugural episode of The Family Pet Podcast, Dr. Shirley shares life-saving information for rabbit owners related to the discovery of the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) recently detected in Tennessee. RHDV2 is an often fatal disease that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. It was first detected in the United States in 2018 and has spread across the country ever since. Following widespread outbreaks in the Southwestern states like California, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico, RHDV2 began appearing in the Southeast in 2021. Incidents were reported in Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida in 2021. Now, Tennessee has been added to the list of states with confirmed cases of RHDV2. The virus can be transmitted through direct contact with infected rabbits or carcasses, meat or their fur, feces, bodily fluids, contaminated bedding materials, or other materials that have been contaminated. People can inadvertently spread the virus into new areas by moving infected live rabbits, carcasses, or parts from infected animals, as well as on clothing and shoes. The virus can persist in the environment for an extended time, making it difficult to control the disease once it affects wild rabbit populations. A new vaccine developed by Medgene Labs has shown to be 100% effective in preventing this deadly disease.

Here are links to information we talked about today: