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As Above So Below
Deadly rabbit virus nicknamed 'bunny ebola' spreading rapidly across southern US
A deadly rabbit virus nicknamed "bunny ebola" is spreading across the southwest US, killing thousands of wild and pet rabbits. Outbreaks of the rare and highly contagious virus have been reported in seven states across America's Sun Belt, including Arizona, California and Texas.
The disease, RHDV2, has been referred to as "bunny ebola" by veterinarians because it replicates the severe bleeding and organ failure the ebola virus causes in humans. In many cases the virus is only detected after an animal dies and its nose leaks blood.
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed cases of the RHDV2 in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas beginning in April.
It is the fourth time the deadly virus has been found in the US since the first case of RHDV2 was first detected in China around 35 years ago.
However this outbreak represents the first time the virus is known to have spread beyond pet rabbits to wild rabbits, hares and even pikas in North America, prompting concern over how officials can effectively contain it.
"The fact that this is in multiple counties and rabbitries, that's why this is so concerning," Eric Stewart, from the American Rabbit Breeders Association, told the Veterinary Information Network. "And then to hear it's burning through the wild rabbit populations, that, of course, furthers our concerns that much more."
(more on the link)
A deadly rabbit virus nicknamed "bunny ebola" is spreading across the southwest US, killing thousands of wild and pet rabbits. Outbreaks of the rare and highly contagious virus have been reported in seven states across America's Sun Belt, including Arizona, California and Texas.
The disease, RHDV2, has been referred to as "bunny ebola" by veterinarians because it replicates the severe bleeding and organ failure the ebola virus causes in humans. In many cases the virus is only detected after an animal dies and its nose leaks blood.
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed cases of the RHDV2 in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas beginning in April.
It is the fourth time the deadly virus has been found in the US since the first case of RHDV2 was first detected in China around 35 years ago.
However this outbreak represents the first time the virus is known to have spread beyond pet rabbits to wild rabbits, hares and even pikas in North America, prompting concern over how officials can effectively contain it.
"The fact that this is in multiple counties and rabbitries, that's why this is so concerning," Eric Stewart, from the American Rabbit Breeders Association, told the Veterinary Information Network. "And then to hear it's burning through the wild rabbit populations, that, of course, furthers our concerns that much more."
(more on the link)