Another thing to worry about in R.I.: Rabbit disease – newportri.com

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management wants Rhode Islanders to keep an eye out for signs of a disease that kills rabbits, both wild and domestic.

The DEM is asking residents to report unusual cases of rabbit deaths, because it could mean rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) has spread into the Ocean State.

The highly contagious disease spread across Australia in two years, 2015 and 2016, and has now been detected in North America, according to the DEM. As of May 12, RHDV2 had been confirmed in Vancouver Island, Canada, and nine U.S. states, including New York.

"Once RHDV2 gets into our wild rabbit populations, it will be very difficult to manage or eliminate," the DEM says.

The disease affects both domestic and wild rabbits, including the Eastern cottontail and the threatened New England cottontail.

"Many times, the only signs of the disease are sudden death and blood-stained noses caused by internal bleeding," the DEM says in a press release. "Infected rabbits may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs."

The virus is not related to coronavirus and does not affect human health, although people can spread it to rabbits by carrying the virus on their clothing or shoes.

New England cottontails were native to New England, but land clearing for agriculture destroyed much of their habitat, and theyve been replaced largely by the Eastern cottontail, which was more suited to the landscape, according to Scott N. Marshall, deputy chief Rhode Island state veterinarian.

The two species look "very similar and it really takes an expert eye to tell the difference," Marshall says.

The disease poses a particular threat to New England cottontails because their numbers are so low. "When there is a population already threatened because of low numbers in the wild, losing a few animals might mean losing an entire population," Marshall says.

While kids might enjoy watching bunnies hop around their yards, and gardeners might see them as nuisances, rabbits have their role to play in nature, Marshall says.

"We dont ever want to see any species become extinct, especially when that is coming at the hands of human beings destroying their habitat," Marshall says. "Rabbits, like virtually all species on the planet, have both good and bad traits (caveat, humans define what is good and bad). They are destructive to our gardens, so we generally think of that as bad. That said, rabbits were around long before people decided that it is a good idea to have a couple lettuce plants in our yard.

"They serve as a food source for various wild carnivores, like bobcats, coyotes and foxes. They also serve as a food source for raptors like hawks and owls," he says.

People who have domestic rabbits must be especially careful how they handle their rabbits. For example, the DEM says, "Do not allow pet, feral or wild rabbits to have contact with your rabbits or gain entry to the facility or home."

Residents whove seen signs of unusual rabbit deaths or otherwise suspect that RHDV2 is affecting local rabbits should contact Marshall at (401) 222-2781 or scott.marshall@dem.ri.gov; Dylan Ferreira, senior wildlife biologist in the DEMs Division of Fish and Wildlife, at (401) 789-0281 or dylan.ferreira@dem.ri.gov; or Sarah Riley, implementation aide in the Division of Fish and Wildlife, (401) 789-0281 or sarah.riley@dem.ri.gov.

More information on the virus and recommendations for prevention are available on DEMs website at http://www.dem.ri.gov/programs/bnatres/fishwild/pdf/disease-rabbit-hemo.pdf

jperry@providencejournal.com

(401) 277-7614

On Twitter: @jgregoryperry

Read the original post:
Another thing to worry about in R.I.: Rabbit disease - newportri.com