Rabbit owners warned after signs of ‘highly contagious’ disease found on Vancouver Island

Feral rabbits are seen at Vancouver International Airport in this file photo from 2023. (CTV News)

The B.C. government is warning rabbit owners on Vancouver Island after signs of a “highly contagious and often deadly disease” were found among the wild population.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease affects only rabbits, but can be carried short distances on the fur, feet or droppings of other animals, according to a news release issued Friday by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship.

It causes symptoms including fever, lethargy, respiratory distress, bleeding from the nose or mouth and sudden death, and is typically spread through direct contact between rabbits, the ministry said.

The virus can also be spread indirectly “through contaminated bedding, food, water, cages, clothing, footwear and vehicle tires,” according to the ministry.

While rabbit hemorrhagic disease has not yet been confirmed as the cause of death for several wild rabbits recently found in Cedar, near Nanaimo, the ministry is advising owners of domestic rabbits to take extra care.

“Testing is underway and results are pending,” the ministry said, noting that the disease has been detected in “feral, commercial and pet rabbits in Parksville, the Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Richmond, Delta and Vancouver” in the past.

While there is no treatment for infected rabbits, a vaccine is available, and B.C. owners are encouraged to speak with their veterinarians about immunizing their pets, the ministry said.

Other steps rabbit owners can take to protect their animals, according to the ministry, include practising good hygiene when handling the animals and their housing and keeping them away from areas where the disease may be present.

More information about protecting against rabbit hemorrhagic disease can be found on the B.C. SPCA’s fact sheet, the ministry said.