FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact Suzanne Trayhan, suzanne@rabbitnetwork.org
‘Jan 16, 2024 Westford, MA – House Rabbit Network is pleased to announce that it has begun hosting vaccine clinics to protect rabbits from Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD), a highly contagious and fatal virus that can affect both wild and domestic rabbits. RHD is spread through direct or indirect contact with an infected rabbit, or through contaminated food, water, and insects that may have interacted with an infected rabbit.
At this time there has not been a reported case of RHD in Massachusetts, but there have been two confirmed cases in domestic rabbits in nearby states. “We expect local cases to increase as the disease spreads in wild populations and were relieved to learn of the vaccine’s authorization recently granted in Massachusetts” said Suzanne Trayhan, Executive Director of the House Rabbit Network; “We recommend all rabbits receive the vaccination as soon as possible to prevent spread of the disease.” To schedule an appointment to have your rabbit vaccinated, please visit the House Rabbit Network website.
Besides vaccination, the risk of contracting RHD can be reduced by limiting exposure of domestic rabbits to sources of infection including other domestic or wild rabbits, rabbit excrement or items other rabbits have used such as toys, bowls, food and water.
Symptoms of RHD may include loss of appetite, lethargy, high fever, seizures, jaundice, bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum, difficulty breathing, and sudden death. If you suspect a case of RHD in a domestic rabbit, please notify your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. Do not bring your rabbit into their office, wait for their instructions. If you suspect a case of RHD in a wild rabbit, please notify your veterinarian and your state wildlife officials (Massachusetts- http://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-fish-and-game).
About the vaccine:
The RHDV2 vaccine made by Medgene is still classified as experimental but was granted Emergency Use Authorization by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Veterinary Biologics (CVB) in September 2021. That Emergency Use Authorization has now been granted in Massachusetts to combat the likely possibility of the disease spreading. To achieve maximum protection, rabbits should receive two doses of the vaccine, including a booster administered 21 days following the initial dose.
About the House Rabbit Network:
The House Rabbit Network is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) non-profit, all-volunteer organization. We are dedicated to saving and adopting out bunnies in need and educating the public about rabbits, placing an average of 400-500 rabbits each year into loving indoor homes. Donations of any amount are always welcome and are used to support our efforts to find loving, forever homes for each and every bunny. Volunteers are needed too. Thank you for your continued support. You can connect with our rabbit community by visiting www.rabbitnetwork.org or following us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
About Medgene Labs:
Medgene Labs is the world’s leading Immunological Services ProviderTM. As an Immunological Services Provider, Medgene Labs monitors the production environment for new viruses, continuously updates its virus sequence and vaccine construct bank to rapidly address health risks, and serologically monitors animals for vaccine effectiveness. Medgene Labs provides these immunological services to its ISPRIME® community of animal owners and their veterinarians in support of delivering consistent and reliable health management tools.
###