RHDV2 Outbreak Affects Billings’ Wild Bunnies

Looks like a trio of feral bunnies over at Billings’ Rocky Mountain College just tested positive for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease 2 (RHDV2).

Here’s the breakdown from FWP on what’s going on and how to handle it:

• The Bad News for Bunnies: RHDV2 is a super contagious, often deadly virus for rabbits, hares, and pikas. To make matters worse, the virus is spread through bodily fluids (like urine) and can stubbornly hang out in the environment for up to 15 weeks.
• The Good News for You: Humans and non-rabbit pets can’t catch RHDV2.
• The Catch: Wild rabbits can still carry other gross stuff that can make humans sick. If you stumble across a dead rabbit in Yellowstone County, treat it like biohazard trash:
  1. Gear up with disposable gloves.
  2. Double (or triple!) bag the body.
  3. Blast the outside of the bag with disinfectant spray if you have it.
  4. Toss the bag and your used gloves straight into a dumpster bound for the landfill.
  5. Wash your hands thoroughly.

If you have pet bunnies at home, keep them strictly away from wild or feral rabbits, step up your hygiene game using the steps above, and ring up your vet if you’re worried.