The rabbit disease you’ve probably never heard of

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is fatal and highly contagious to wild and domestic rabbits.

It has been detected in US states bordering Ontario and Quebec. In 2022, it was detected in three domestic rabbits in Ontario in two unrelated cases, according to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative’s (CWHC) 2023-2024 Annual Report.

The disease was already assumed to be in Canada due to its high numbers of domestic and feral rabbits and hares. After exposure to the virus, rabbits usually become sick within one to five days. Death often occurs shortly afterwards, suddenly without signs.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease spread through bodily fluids

Spread between rabbits is through direct contact with saliva, nasal secretions, urine, manure, blood and fur or carcasses of infected rabbits. One tell-tale sign of the disease is when rabbits are bleeding from orifices. There is no treatment, but there is a vaccine for domestic rabbits.

In 2023, the CWHC and Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs began a surveillance project, funded by the Ontario Animal Health Network, with the goal of monitoring both domestic and wild rabbit populations.

At the time of printing of the report, the CWHC had submitted samples from more than 100 cottontail rabbits to the Animal Health Laboratory at the University of Guelph for testing. The samples were obtained with the help of the Ministry of Natural Resources, wildlife rehabilitation centres, and animal services departments. At that time, the wild and domestic rabbits tested showed no sign of the disease.

The CWHC notes 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:
cwhc.wildlifesubmissions.org

The disease does not affect humans.

Originally published in the Ontario Out of Doors 2025-2026 Hunting Annual

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