Messages From Breeder's RHD Group - VHDINFO.COM
OFFICIAL: UTAH-MONTANA
New VHD Outbreak CONFIRMED
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On Wednesday, August 15, 2001, samples were submitted to USDA/APHIS's Plum Island Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL). On Friday, August 18, these were CONFIRMED as being POSITIVE for RCD/VHD.
The apparent origin in Utah, from which the samples came, is a herd of some 600 rabbits kept in the same barn, owned by 2 people. Breeds of rabbits involved were not specified, but are thought to include Rex.
These owners are to be highly praised for their cooperation and alertness!! We send you, whoever you may be, our sympathies for your losses, and applaud your actions in reporting this disease.
As of 8am PST, August 20, 2001, the available information is as follows:
Animals from the origin had been sent to Montana for show and/or sale (2-3 animals). Of these, apparently 2 were sent to CA via a truck for slaughter--this is UNCONFIRMED and Dr. Mike Marshall, State Veterinarian of Utah, emphasized that the reason for this possible transfer is unknown. We will post as soon as we have more information on this point.
Because the outbreak was diagnosed formally the night before the Montana Fair, Dr. Gertonson, State Veterinarian of Montana, was notified first thing Saturday morning. Quarantine was promptly initiated upon all herds from which animals had been shown; it is possible that attendees came from as many as six different states, which were not specified at this time.
The Utah herd had also sent some 72 animals to the state of Illinois; Dr. Hull, State Veterinarian of Illinois, is managing that portion of the investigation. No count has been received from the owner as of this morning, but as of last evening, 5 had died. An investigator from FADDL is being sent out today to take samples for submission to Plum Island and to gather investigative data.
USDA/APHIS is certainly involved in this investigation!! There has been quite a bit of indignation from various sources that rabbits are being constantly moved interstate ILLEGALLY, without health certificates (also known as CVI's--Certificates of Veterinary Inspection) or entry permits.
Please, before moving ANY rabbits interstate, make SURE to call the State Veterinarian's office of the state to which you plan to go!! The system of health certificates is the ONLY truly reliable way we have at this point in time to track disease occurrence and origin--and no, it isn't cheap, nor is it easy.
Dr. Marshall of Utah, Dr. Lee of Montana, and Dr. Hull of Illinois were all very emphatic that omission of health checks, certificates, and legal movement are a major factor in the spread of any contagious disease. Had health checks and certification been done prior to moving these animals, it is possible that they would not have been allowed to enter another state, based on their health and that of the herd. Perhaps they would have checked out clean, but that we may never know for sure.
To recap:
As of 8AM PST, VHD is CONFIRMED in Utah. Animals in contact with some sent to Montana are IN QUARANTINE. A group of animals sent to Illinois is UNDER QUARANTINE, WITH POSSIBLE LOSSES DUE TO VHD.
Elimination of affected herds and compensation for animals lost is likely to be a Federal call; further information will be posted as it comes in.
IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT A POSSIBLE OUTBREAK PLEASE CALL YOUR STATE VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY!!!
Thank you!
Pamela Alley, RVT
Director, Rabbit Industry Council
--Cyril Connolly
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