Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Confirmed in Jefferson County

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture received notice Dec. 12 from USDA confirming rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in two pet rabbits that died on Dec. 7 in Clover Township, Jefferson County.

The site is under quarantine, and is being cleaned and disinfected. The disease poses no risk to human health, or to animals other than rabbits.

RHD causes sudden death in rabbits that have previously exhibited no signs of disease. It is a viral disease that may spread through contact with infected rabbits, their meat or fur, or materials they have touched.

The virus has two strains. This strain,...