Victoria -APRIL 16 UPDATE – The first batch of vaccines to protect pet rabbits from rabbit haemorrhagic disease has arrived from Europe.

The vaccines are being distributed to 50 B.C. veterinary clinics that ordered it. To meet the remaining demand, a second batch of the vaccine is expected in early May.

The Ministry of Agriculture ordered the vaccine from a manufacturer in France in March, following the first-ever B.C. diagnosis of the disease on Vancouver Island. The vaccine that provides the best protection is available only through one manufacturer in France. The vaccine needed to be imported by the Province through a specialized emergency-use federal-permitting process.

The first shipment included all the vaccines the manufacturer had available. This included 1,090 individual doses of the vaccine and 42 multi-dose vials that are being distributed to vet clinics that ordered it following cases of the disease in their area. It is also being distributed to clinics in other parts of B.C. that have clients who are concerned about protecting their rabbits from the quickly spreading disease.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease is an extremely infectious and lethal disease that causes internal bleeding and organ damage in rabbits. Most affected rabbits die suddenly, but can show signs of listlessness, lack of co-ordination, changes in behaviour, or trouble breathing before death. There is often bleeding from the nose at the time of death. Once infected, signs of illness occur quickly, usually within one to nine days.

Pet owners should monitor their rabbits daily for signs of illness, and contact their veterinarian immediately with any concerns. While there is no threat to humans or other domestic animals, in addition to rabbit owners taking precautions, the public is advised not to move domestic rabbits into the wild at any time. As well, rabbit owners should take precautions when disposing of any rabbit remains.

Rabbit owners, who want more information about how to keep their pets safe, can consult with their veterinarian, or review an SPCA factsheet: http://spca.bc.ca/news/bc-spca-suspends-intake-of-rabbits-due-to-disease/

FYI:

* To date, tests on 27 feral and domestic rabbits have been completed

* 20 of the 27 were feral rabbits. Seven were domestic rabbits.

* 19 of the 20 feral rabbits tested positive. Two of the seven domestic rabbits tested positive.

* Rabbits that tested positive were received from the Comox, Courtenay, Delta, Nanaimo, Parksville and Richmond areas.

* Rabbits that tested negative were received from Abbotsford, Maple Ridge, Mission, Surrey, Nanaimo, Parksville and Victoria.

* Feral rabbits submitted from regions where the disease has been confirmed are no longer being tested.

* Testing is underway on five additional rabbits that have been submitted for testing.

MARCH 21 ORIGINAL STORY – Rabbit owners are being advised to take precautions with their pet rabbits in the wake of a highly infectious virus affecting feral rabbits in B.C. communities.

Recent testing carried out on dead feral rabbits in Nanaimo and Delta has confirmed the presence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease, caused by a calicivirus. Dead rabbits found in the Comox Valley are being shipped to the provincial lab for testing.

All dead rabbits have been feral European or domestic rabbits, so pet rabbits are at risk. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease is an extremely infectious and lethal disease of rabbits. It is the third confirmed diagnosis of this virus in Canada and the first in B.C. The disease is exclusive to rabbits. Humans and other animals, including dogs and cats, cannot be infected. The virus only affects European rabbits, and is not known to affect native North American rabbits.

Pet owners should monitor their rabbits daily for signs of illness, and contact their veterinarian immediately with any concerns. The virus causes hemorrhages by affecting the blood vessels, and attacks the liver and other organs. Most affected rabbits die suddenly, but can show signs of listlessness, lack of co-ordination, behaviour changes or trouble breathing before death. There is often bleeding from the nose at the time of death. Once infected, signs of illness occur quickly, usually within one to nine days.

While there is no threat to humans, and in addition to rabbit owners taking precautions, the public is advised not to move domestic rabbits into the wild at any time. As well, rabbit owners should take precautions when disposing of any rabbit remains.

Rabbit owners who want more information about how to keep their pets safe can consult with their veterinarian, or review an SPCA fact sheet on rabbit hemorrhagic disease at: http://spca.bc.ca/news/bc-spca-suspends-intake-of-rabbits-due-to-disease/