The Arizona Game and Fish Department is warning that a contagious disease that wiped out a large percentage of rabbit populations in the early 2020s is making a comeback.
The disease, known as RHDV2, does not affect humans or other animals.
The agency says recovery has varied by species — Arizona’s cottontail numbers have increased since the previous outbreak. However, the population of jackrabbits remains “significantly depressed.”
Larisa Harding says exposure occurs from physical contact.
“Rabbits can catch it from dead animals on the landscape, going up and investigating and sticking their nose up against the infected dead animal. They can catch it from fecal pellets and droppings," she said.
Harding says there's signs to an infected rabbit.
“They’re bleeding from the backside because it’s hemorrhagic and so it affects the blood and tends to rupture those surfaces," she said.
Game and Fish encourages hunters to remove carcasses from the field and properly dispose of remains to prevent spread of the virus. The agency also says consumption of rabbit meat is still safe.
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