Received By Coalition On August 29, 2001
Emergency Management Warning 3:
Rabbit Calicivirus Disease
(Viral Hemorrhagic Disease of Rabbits ) CONFIRMED Update
Background Information:
On August 17, 2001, USDA's Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) confirmed Viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (VHD) also known as rabbit calicivirus disease based on hemagglutination tests and electron microscopy from a rabbitry in Utah county, Utah.Utah update:
Depopulation of the both herds has been done. Cleaning and disinfection of both premises is ongoing. Utah State and federal officials are continuing to interview people who had previous contact with any of these rabbits.Montana Update:
The 3 rabbits brought from the infected premises in Utah were euthanized, and samples taken. Preliminary test results were negative for the 3 rabbits that were euthanized. The euthanized rabbits were buried on the property. The remaining rabbits are under quarantine on this premises and further action is dependent on the results from additional lab tests from these rabbits.As a result of possible exposure at the Montana State Fair, the State Veterinarian placed 15 premises under quarantine. These premises will remain under quarantine until final lab results are known.
Idaho Update:
Movement restrictions were placed on the truck carrying approximately 3,600 rabbits because of the 2 rabbits from the Yellowstone County, MT, premises (but not the Utah origin rabbits). These 3,600 rabbits, considered to be contacts, were euthanized and disposed of appropriately.Test results on rabbits from that truck are negative.
Illinois Update:
The Mercer County premises, which received 72 rabbits from the infected Utah premises, is under quarantine and plans are being made for depopulating those rabbits. There were no rabbit movements before the quarantine was issued. The owner has approximately 300 rabbits.Preliminary test results are positive for the rabbits that were received from the infected Utah premises.
Discussions are under way to determine the value of the animals. When an agreement has been reached between the owner and the State and Federal officials, the remaining animals will be euthanized and disposed of appropriately.
From all of the epidemiological data gathered so far, it seems that the outbreak has been contained to the premises mentioned above. Tracing in all affected States has revealed no other rabbit movements from these premises before quarantines were placed. Information is still being gathered from various concerned rabbit owners and is being considered in light of the known information.
APHIS, Veterinary Services (VS) and the State Departments of Agriculture of Utah, Montana, Idaho, and Illinois are working together to address the situation. VS will assist the affected States in the depopulation and cleaning/disinfecting of the premises. VS will also investigate reports of suspect Viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits (VHD) as part of the foreign animal disease surveillance program.
Updates regarding this outbreak will be provided as new information becomes available. If you have any questions please contact the Emergency Programs staff at 301-734-8073, 800-940-6524, or EMOC@APHIS.USDA.GOV. Please forward this information to other Federal, State, and industry counterparts as necessary.
--P. J. O'Rourke
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