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Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Review

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is a highly contagious, fatal disease in rabbits and is currently classified as a reportable, foreign animal disease in the United States. Animal health officials detected rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus serotype 2 (RHDV2) for the third time in the United States in February 2020. It has since been spreading across the country. It is important to note that RHDV2 does not impact human health.

 

RHDV2, unlike other rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses, affects both domestic and wild rabbits. Infected rabbits may develop a fever, be hesitant to eat, or show respiratory or nervous signs.  However, many times, the only signs of the disease are sudden death.

How RHDV2 Spreads

RHDV2 can be spread through direct contact or exposure to an infected rabbit’s excretions or blood. The virus can also survive and be spread from carcasses, food, water, and any contaminated materials.  It has also been spread by insects. Because of survivability, people can spread the virus indirectly by carrying it on their clothing and shoes after being exposed to an infected animal or environment.  Thorough biosecurity and vaccination are the only way to protect your rabbits.
Source: fs-rhdv2.pdf (usda.gov)

 

Summary of Efficacy Study

A study was performed to evaluate the vaccine’s performance against direct challenge with live RHDV2 virus.  The study results in Table 1 (below) showed zero mortalities in the vaccinated group of rabbits and a 69% mortality rate in the placebo group after being challenged with the RHDV2 virus. The difference in mortality rates between the vaccinated and placebo groups was highly statistically significant with a p-value of 0.0017. 

 

Table 1
 Mortality %
Treatment Group 1 (Placebo)69%
Treatment Group 2 (Vaccinates)0%
 P=0.0017

Safety Study Data

At this time, one third of the required safety information has been completed and approved by the USDA for Emergency Use Authorization.

 

Currently, 105 rabbits (kits and breeding stock in various stages of reproduction) have been fully vaccinated and observed for safety concerns. Of these 105 rabbits, one kit and one adult rabbit exhibited minor post injection swelling at the site of administration. This swelling was resolved within 48 hours. 

 

Vaccine Accessibility

Medgene Labs is actively engaged with State Veterinarians to work through each state's requirements for distribution and reporting. We have currently completed the process with 45 State Veterinarians as well as Washington DC. Below is a list of the states we are able to distribute RHDV2 vaccines to. We continue to work diligently to make this vaccine available nationwide to do our part in stopping this pandemic. We will update this list as new states are added. 

 

Alabama

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut (approval on individual basis)

Delaware

Florida (approval on individual basis)

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maryland

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana (approval on individual basis)

Nebraska

Nevada

New Jersey 

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee (approval on individual basis)

Texas

Utah

Virginia

Washington

Washington D.C.

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Shipping Information

 

 

We ship Monday - Wednesday via FedEx Overnight Express. 

 

To be eligible for same week shipping, we need to receive all completed paperwork by 1 pm, Central Time, on Tuesday.

 

 

Resources

 

Product Summary Brochure
RHD White Paper
FAQ Brochure

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe for previously vaccinated rabbits to be vaccinated with the new vaccine? Will they need the initial booster? 

This vaccine has gone through safety testing in accordance with USDA standards. It has been determined to be safe and approved for use with a two-dose regimen.

Is there a Vaccine for RHDV2?

Yes, there are several options for a vaccine.

 

  1. Medgene Labs of Brookings, SD has developed a new vaccine and gained emergency use authorization by the USDA after review of current safety and challenge information.
  2. There are 2 killed vaccines for RHDV2 licensed in the European Union (EU) which may be used in the USA under special permit. See https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf  for more information.

What kind of vaccine is the Medgene Labs vaccine?

Medgene Labs vaccine is an inactivated (killed) recombinant subunit vaccine that builds immunity to RHDV-2 specific antigenic proteins in the rabbit. The immune system sees the RHDV-2 protein and learns to protect the rabbit from the virus.


The vaccine is administered through a subcutaneous injection and is comprised of a 2-dose regimen, with the second (booster) dose being delivered 21 days following the initial dose.

 

How effective is the vaccine in preventing RHDV2?

The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing death in a CVB-approved efficacy challenge study conducted at university facilities. During development 100% of rabbits fully vaccinated survived when challenged directly with RHDV-2 live virus.

Will my rabbit possibly infect other rabbits after being vaccinated?

No. This vaccine only uses parts (proteins) of RHDV2 to build immunity. It is impossible for a rabbit that receives this vaccine to shed any virus as it doesn't contain the full RHDV2 virus.

How long does it take for the vaccine to be effective?

The vaccine should be fully protective 14 days after the second vaccine booster, which would be 35 days after the first dose.

How effective is a single dose of the vaccine?

Due to the urgent need of a US RHDV2 vaccine, Medgene has focused on producing the most protective and safest vaccine possible; at this time that requires a two-dose series 21 days apart.

How young can I administer the vaccine?

This vaccine has demonstrated safety when given at 4 weeks of age.

What side effects should I expect?

Rabbits may develop a small swelling at the site of the injection, develop a slight temporary fever, or be lethargic for a day or two.

Is it safe for pregnant and nursing does?

A full study on the safety in nursing and pregnant does has not yet been completed.

Is it safe for previously vaccinated rabbits to be vaccinated with the new vaccine? Will they need the initial booster? 

This vaccine has gone through safety testing in accordance with USDA standards. It has been determined to be safe and approved for use with a two-dose regimen.

Is there a Vaccine for RHDV2?

Yes, there are several options for a vaccine.

 

  1. Medgene Labs of Brookings, SD has developed a new vaccine and gained emergency use authorization by the USDA after review of current safety and challenge information.
  2. There are 2 killed vaccines for RHDV2 licensed in the European Union (EU) which may be used in the USA under special permit. See https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fs-rhdv2.pdf  for more information.

What kind of vaccine is the Medgene Labs vaccine?

Medgene Labs vaccine is an inactivated (killed) recombinant subunit vaccine that builds immunity to RHDV-2 specific antigenic proteins in the rabbit. The immune system sees the RHDV-2 protein and learns to protect the rabbit from the virus.


The vaccine is administered through a subcutaneous injection and is comprised of a 2-dose regimen, with the second (booster) dose being delivered 21 days following the initial dose.

 

How effective is the vaccine in preventing RHDV2?

The vaccine has been shown to be highly effective in preventing death in a CVB-approved efficacy challenge study conducted at university facilities. During development 100% of rabbits fully vaccinated survived when challenged directly with RHDV-2 live virus.

Will my rabbit possibly infect other rabbits after being vaccinated?

No. This vaccine only uses parts (proteins) of RHDV2 to build immunity. It is impossible for a rabbit that receives this vaccine to shed any virus as it doesn't contain the full RHDV2 virus.

How long does it take for the vaccine to be effective?

The vaccine should be fully protective 14 days after the second vaccine booster, which would be 35 days after the first dose.

How effective is a single dose of the vaccine?

Due to the urgent need of a US RHDV2 vaccine, Medgene has focused on producing the most protective and safest vaccine possible; at this time that requires a two-dose series 21 days apart.

How young can I administer the vaccine?

This vaccine has demonstrated safety when given at 4 weeks of age.

What side effects should I expect?

Rabbits may develop a small swelling at the site of the injection, develop a slight temporary fever, or be lethargic for a day or two.

Is it safe for pregnant and nursing does?

A full study on the safety in nursing and pregnant does has not yet been completed.

Is it safe for previously vaccinated rabbits to be vaccinated with the new vaccine? Will they need the initial booster? 

This vaccine has gone through safety testing in accordance with USDA standards. It has been determined to be safe and approved for use with a two-dose regimen.

Contact

605.697.2600

Location

1006 32ND AVENUE
BROOKINGS, SD, 57006 USA

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