RHDV2 Confirmed on Hawaii

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) have confirmed rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus, type 2 (RHDV2) in a 4- to 5-year-old neutered male rabbit on a farm in Kula, Maui. On June 14, 2022, HDOA’s Animal Industry Division received notice that nine out of 12 rabbits had died on the Maui farm. On June 17, HDOA received confirmation of RHDV2 infection in the one rabbit tested from the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL). You can read more details HERE.

A formal quarantine order on the premises was issued by HDOA State Veterinarian, Dr. Isaac Maeda. The duration of the quarantine is expected to be 120 days after premise cleaning and disinfection are completed. The outbreak appears to involve a single premise and is not expected to spread.

The cause of this outbreak remains under investigation. No rabbits imported into the state have been associated with this outbreak. 

Any owners or veterinarians experiencing unusual losses of rabbits should contact the HDOA’s Animal Industry Division at (808) 483-7100 or (808) 837-8092.