A lethal disease that strikes rabbits has been detected in a jackrabbit in Palm Springs, leading veterinarians and animal rescue organizations to prepare for its potential spread to San Diego County and throughout the state.
“It spreads very fast in the wild populations,” said Jon Enyart, director of wildlife medicine for Project Wildlife, the rescue arm of the San Diego Humane Society. “Then it runs rampant through the domestic populations as well.”The disease has circulated for several decades throughout 40 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia, as well as Mexico and Canada.
In the meantime, the risk to both wild rabbits and pets exposed to the virus is high. The disease is in a group called calicivirus and is unrelated to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Other recommendations include washing hands before and after handling a pet rabbit; changing clothes after contacting other rabbits; disinfecting shoes with bleach; using only known hay and feed sources and avoiding foraged plants, grasses or tree branches; installing door and window screens to eliminate flies and mosquitoes; and quarantining any new rabbit.
But some very rare, endangered species — such as the riparian brush rabbit in the Central Valley, which numbers only a few hundred — could potentially be captured and vaccinated if the disease strikes its area, she said.
Now we have to socially distance from the rabbits?
I’m near Palm Springs and may have watched a bunny pass due to this yesterday. Bunny was moving very slow then went crazy hopping for a few seconds then hyperventilated
If it could be spread to humans, those rabbits and hares need to be eradicated.
Even the bunny rabbits are having a rough time in 2020 😔
OMGOSH IF COVID FUCKING MUTATES WE’RE FUCKED.
Oh no Noahpinion
I love rabbit
hear hear.
Wrong photo. That’s a hare.
Ugh KTLA just posted this too. Stop with the scary headlines! Does not affect humans, cats, or dogs
Earth woke up on New Years and decided:
See what happens when you mess with Elmer Fudd.
...ehhhh Zhangarang 😳
:(