OKLAHOMA CITY — As of September 24, 2020, the rabbit movement ban will expire and all rabbit exhibitions and sales in the state will be allowed to resume. This ban was put in place as a response to the outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in regions surrounding Oklahoma.
ODAFF does not see reason to put another movement ban in place at this time, but wants to remind rabbit owners the disease is still prevalent in wild rabbits and could spike at any time.
“Experts do expect some recurrence as the weather cools down,” said Dr. Rod Hall, State Veterinarian of Oklahoma. “We would also like to emphasize the importance of biosecurity – especially when people bring new rabbits to their facility. We ask these rabbit owners to isolate new rabbits for two weeks, to take care of them last when doing chores to minimize any potential spread, and to increase biosecurity protocols.”
RHD is a highly contagious and lethal virus found among both domestic and wild rabbits. RHD appears only to affect rabbit species (lagomorphs). It is not known to affect humans, livestock or pets other than rabbits. However, pets should not be allowed to consume dead animal carcasses.
For questions regarding RHD or to report dead rabbits, please contact our State Veterinarian’s office by calling 405.522.6141.
–Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry
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