RHDV-2 confirmed in Colorado

A highly contagious and fatal disease of rabbits and hares has been detected for the first time in Colorado.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Agriculture report that rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (RHDV-2) was confirmed late last week in three wild cottontail rabbits approximately 10 miles southeast of Alamosa in Costilla County.

RHDV-2 does NOT affect humans or domestic species other than rabbits but is highly contagious and lethal among rabbits.

RHDV-2 is considered a foreign animal disease and is of high concern at the state and federal levels. Until recently, RHDV-2 was not considered a virus that would infect North American cottontails or hares; however, cases have now been reported in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. After these reports in other Western states, CPW and CDA increased efforts to raise awareness of the potential for this disease in Colorado.

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