New detection of deadly rabbit virus found in Powell Butte wild jackrabbit

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – More detections of rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) in a wild rabbit have been confirmed by the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, including in a black-tailed jackrabbit recovered from Powell Butte in Crook County on Dec. 13, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife said Wednesday.

Winter is the most popular time of the year to hunt rabbits, ODFW and hunters are asked to keep an eye out for the disease and take steps to avoid spreading it. Domestic rabbit owners should also take precautions.

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