RHDV2 in Rabbits: Symptoms, Vaccination and Preventing Spread

By Dr Duncan Houston

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease can strike before an owner has much warning. A rabbit may become suddenly quiet and stop eating, or an apparently healthy rabbit may be found dead.

That possibility is frightening, but prevention is practical. Vaccination, reducing contact with contaminated material and knowing what to do after a suspected case all make a difference.

Quick Answer

RHDV2 is a highly contagious rabbit virus that can cause severe liver disease and sudden death. Indoor housing reduces some exposures but does not remove risk because people, equipment and insects can carry contamination. Ask your rabbit vet about a vaccine that protects against locally relevant strains, and phone the clinic immediately if illness or an unexplained death raises concern.

What is RHDV2?

RHDV2 is a rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, within a group of viruses affecting rabbits and some hare species. The World Organisation for Animal Health describes the disease as a highly contagious form of acute hepatitis. It is not a human infection.

In Australia, RHDV2 was first detected in 2015, and its route of entry is unknown. It should not be confused with the RHDV1 strains deliberately used for rabbit control, as clarified by the Australian Department of Agriculture’s RHDV information.

How can a pet rabbit be exposed?

Direct contact with an infected rabbit is only one route. Contaminated footwear, clothing, bowls, carriers, bedding and insects can move the virus. Wild rabbits can contaminate areas where grass or forage is collected. An indoor rabbit therefore still needs a prevention plan.

Think about the route into your home: visitors who keep rabbits, shared carriers, outdoor shoes and newly acquired animals. A simple separation of clean rabbit-care equipment from outside equipment is easier to maintain than trying to disinfect everything only after a scare.

What signs need action?

Does there have to be bleeding?

No. Visible blood is not required, and you should not wait for it. The USDA APHIS disease information describes a range of presentations, including rapid death and respiratory or neurological signs. Other causes of sudden rabbit illness include gastrointestinal obstruction, heatstroke, poisoning and other infections. A laboratory investigation may be needed to establish the cause.

When is this an emergency?

Collapse, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, seizures or unexplained bleeding require emergency help now. Phone ahead and explain that you have rabbits and are concerned about contagious disease. Keep the affected rabbit quiet in a secure carrier and follow the clinic’s instructions.

If a rabbit has died, keep other animals away and ask the vet how to handle the body for possible testing. Do not dispose of bedding, move the body between properties or introduce another rabbit before receiving advice. Reporting requirements and sample arrangements depend on your location.

Vaccination: check protection, not just the date

Vaccine products and authorised schedules differ between countries. Ask which strains the proposed vaccine covers, the appropriate starting age, whether an initial course is needed and when boosters are due. A record saying “calicivirus vaccine” is not enough to assume complete RHDV2 protection.

Vaccination is preventive, not a treatment for a rabbit already ill. Protection is not immediate after injection, and no vaccine removes the need for hygiene. Your vet can advise on timing for a new rabbit, a lapse in boosters or a local outbreak.

Your prevention plan

1. Check each rabbit’s vaccination record with your vet.
2. Use insect-proof housing where practical and prevent contact with wild rabbits.
3. Keep outdoor footwear and potentially contaminated equipment away from living areas.
4. Quarantine new or returning rabbits according to veterinary advice, using separate equipment.
5. Remove organic debris before disinfecting; use a product and contact time appropriate for this virus.
6. Keep an emergency contact and a plan for separating exposed animals.

Common mistakes

• Assuming indoor rabbits cannot be exposed.
• Waiting for nose bleeding before calling.
• Believing every older calicivirus vaccination gives equivalent protection.
• Using an ordinary household wipe without checking virus effectiveness.
• Replacing a rabbit immediately after an unexplained death.

Frequently asked questions

Can people catch RHDV2?

It is not considered a human disease, but people can mechanically carry contamination between rabbits.

Can a vaccinated rabbit still become ill?

Yes. Protection depends on product, timing and individual factors, and other diseases can produce similar signs.

Is there a home cure?

No. Suspected disease requires veterinary assessment and containment advice.

Should exposed rabbits be moved to a friend’s house?

No. Moving them can spread contamination. Ask your vet how to separate and monitor them safely.

A current vaccination plan and everyday biosecurity are the most useful protection. After suspected exposure, act promptly and prevent further spread.

For help organising questions about your animal’s care, visit ASK A VET™. A seriously unwell animal needs immediate in-person veterinary care.