RHDV2 surveillance in Ontario

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a fatal disease, caused by rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2), that can affect both wild and domestic rabbits and hares. RHDV2 is a highly contagious virus that has been detected in both domestic and wild rabbits in the United States (see https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/maps/animal-health/rhd).

In 2022, RHDV2 was detected in three domestic rabbits in Ontario, in two apparently unrelated incursions. In 2023, the CWHC and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) began a surveillance project, funded by the Ontario Animal Health Network, with the goal of monitoring both domestic and wild rabbit populations in Ontario for the presence of rabbit hemorrhagic disease. To date, the CWHC has submitted samples from 107 cottontail rabbits to the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph for testing.  These samples were obtained with the help of our partners in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, wildlife rehabilitation centres, and animal services departments, across the province. Additionally, OMAFRA has received 5 domestic rabbits for testing. Below is a map showing the locations of both wild and domestic rabbit submissions that we have received to date – so far all have been negative. Continued vigilance for this disease is important to protect rabbit and hare health in Ontario.

If you find any sick or deceased wild rabbits in Ontario, you can contribute to this surveillance program by contacting the CWHC at 1-866-673-4781 or by submitting an online report at https://cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org/. If you have a domestic rabbit you wish to have tested through the project, please contact al************@*****io.ca.

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