Thousands of rabbits die of new deadly virus  

July 2, 2020  13:48

The deadly rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV2) has already killed thousands of rabbits in the US.

According to Business Insider, some veterinarians call the disease "bunny Ebola," as it causes severe internal bleeding in rabbits, hares, and pikas.

As the veterinarians noted, often the only visible sign that the animals are infected comes after their death as their noses leak bloody discharge.

Since April, the US Department of Agriculture has confirmed RHDV2 cases in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, Texas and New Mexico.

According to experts, the virus spreads through the blood, feces, and urine. In the meantime, officials have reported a death rate of nearly 90%.

However, the RHDV2 virus is not dangerous to humans, cats, and dogs, and it can live for over three months at room temperature.

Back in 2018 the virus was reported among pet rabbits in Ohio, then an outbreak happened in Washington state. In February, over a dozen rabbits died in New York City.

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