My family likes bunnies. We reside in a backwoods where they prevail as do the majority of people in the Missouri and Illinois location. However, if you occur to see a dead bunny, it is essential that you do not touch it. There is something else you require to do rather.
There’s good news and problem on the bunny front. The problem is that the United States Department of Agriculture has actually provided a publication specifying that rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 has been detected in the United States once again. The good news is that there are no reports of the illness in any bunnies in Missouri – yet.
What is rabbit hemorrhagic illness?
The Kansas Department of Agriculture defines it as “a highly contagious and fatal disease that only affects bunnies; it does NOT impact human health”. More good news. But, if you see a dead bunny or especially multiple dead rabbits, do not touch them. Instead report what you’ve seen to the Missouri state wildlife officials.
What are symptoms of rabbit hemorrhagic illness?
Since this illness affects wild rabbits and those that are kept as pets, this is something you need to be aware of even if there are no cases in our area yet. The USDA says “the just signs of the disease are sudden death and blood stained noses caused by internal bleeding. Infected bunnies may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs.”
The current hotspot for this bunny illness is the American Southwest. Let’s hope the illness can be contained there and doesn’t become a problem in Missouri or Illinois.
LOOK: Here are the family pets banned in each state
Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as family pets.
Read on to see which family pets are prohibited in your home state, in addition to throughout the country.
