RHDV2 confirmed Northern Minnesota

www.RHDV2.com Educational Resource.

In spring 2020 I saw a photo of a young boy weeping, clutching his recently deceased pet rabbit that was draped with a purple ribbon...and something broke inside. That was the catalyst for my passion project to create an educational website aimed at youth who raise rabbits. That's when RHDV2 emerged in the US. Like others who raised rabbits, I watched with dread as this killing virus spread across the country in the wild population, and from time to time in pet rabbits. No, we don't want rabbits eating up people's gardens, but this virus is not the solution that gardeners or anyone truly hopes to see.

RHDV2 kills 90% of the rabbits it infects with 48 hours and there is no cure. Plus, it is highly contagious and survives without a live host for 90 days in organic material like the soil or vegetative matter, grass. [ That's why we still buy food and store it 3 months before feeding. That's why farmers wash their tires when driving back on their property. That's why we insist people wash their hands before petting. That's why we quarantine rabbits after coming back from the state fair...]

SHORT HISTORY: Minnesota's first cases in 2022 and we ramped up and provided mass vaccine clinics with the first use of the US-developed vaccine. An additional MN cases summer 2022. Then nothing for years.

Fast forward and now RHDV2 is endemic now in the southwest United States. Researchers reported coyotes encroaching on some communities and eagles dying for lack of food in the area. Conservation projects sprang up to protect and to reintroduce rabbits and hares. And without new stories, it's easy to forget that it's still here. Cases still happen but they are "normal" now. And there are cases that have been in places never seen before.

CURRENT CASES

Now weeks ago, in late August 2026, it's emerged again in northern Minnesota with 2 confirmed cases at different rabbitries. Even though you're likely nowhere near this outbreak, it's just time to remind people about the disease and what to do if you find dead rabbits in your backyard or park.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

If you find dead rabbits in your neighborhood, don't disturb the scene. This will be a little graphic, but it will look different than if a dog kills a rabbit because the body is not damaged. There may be many dead rabbits in the area and may be blood from body openings. Call your local Board of Animal health / wildlife rehab-conservation department.

For those who have pet rabbits and farms, this serves as our wake-up call again. And sadly we update the website again. Remember: Biosecurity still matters. Stay vigilant to protect and prevent because there still is no known cure for our sweet furry friends.

Thanks to all for keeping an eye out for sick or dead rabbits in your neighborhood and parks or while out hunting this fall -- it's critical that outbreaks are caught early!