RHD poses a significant threat to the Commonwealth’s cottontail rabbit and snowshoe hare populations due to its ability to spread easily between domestic and wild lagomorph species (i.e., rabbits & hares), short incubation period, high mortality rates, and persistence in the environment. While RHD has not yet reached wild rabbit and hare populations in Pennsylvania, there are steps hunters and the other members of the public can take to reduce the risk of this disease being introduced into Pennsylvania and, once here, spreading across the Commonwealth. 1) Wear gloves when handling rabbit carcasses. 2) Clean, then disinfect with a 1:10 solution of household bleach to water all surfaces and equipment that may have come into contact with the hare or rabbit. 3) When possible, dispose of carcasses or unused parts in commercial trash or bury the carcass to prevent scavenging.
In March 2022, the Game Commission updated an Executive Order prohibiting the importation of any wild rabbit or hare, or their parts, into Pennsylvania from any state, province, territory or country where RHDV2 has been declared endemic or where RHDV2 has been detected in the previous 12 months. If you observe multiple dead rabbits that have died due to unknown causes, please call 1-833-PGC-WILD or use the online tool at www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS. For more information, visit pgc.pa.gov/wildlifehealth/rhd.
The Wildlife Futures Program is a wildlife health partnership between the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. By combining the vast expertise and resources of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania’s only veterinary school, the Wildlife Futures Program implements a forward-thinking approach to ensure that Pennsylvania’s wild species thrive for generations. The program is actively monitoring the health of many Pennsylvania species, including but not limited to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, bald eagles, fisher, mink, gray fox, and more. You can assist the Wildlife Futures Program in their research by reporting any wildlife health concerns to the Wildlife Health Survey (below).
The Game Commission’s online Wildlife Health Survey makes it easy to report wildlife health concerns. Access the survey by visiting www.pgcapps.pa.gov/WHS, or by scanning the QR code below. For immediate assistance, call 1-833-PGC-HUNT or 1-833-PGC-WILD.
For more information about wildlife health in Pennsylvania, please visit www.pgc.pa.gov/wildlifehealth or email pgc-wildlifehealth@pa.gov.