Space Coast Rabbit Rescue is located in Melbourne, Brevard County, Florida. Veterinarians near Brevard and surrounding counties who have RHDV2 vaccines available include:
Exotic Animal Hospital of Orlando
1717 E. Michigan Street
Orlando (407) 286-3484
Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic
38 S. Kirkman Road
Orlando (407) 297-7528
Winter Park Veterinary Hospital
1601 Lee Road
Winter Park (407) 644-2676
To date, Florida has confirmed 4 cases of RHDV2, 3 of which involved indoor pet domestic bunnies.
RHDV2 has not yet been detected in wild rabbits in Florida. Regardless of where your bunny lives, please talk with your veterinarian about your rabbit’s overall health history and ask about getting this extremely important and life-saving vaccination.
In a notice issued 11 July 2022, the FDACS states:
“On June 29, 2022, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) was notified that a single rabbit residing in Orange County tested positive for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Type 2 (RHDV-2). The premises had no other animals. This is the fourth confirmed case of RHDV-2 in domestic rabbits in Florida. There have been no detections in wild rabbits in the state. Veterinary clinics throughout Florida now have access to RHDV-2 vaccine, and FDACS encourages discussion with your veterinarian regarding vaccination of pet rabbits.
Prior positive RHDV-2 cases were detected in Palm Beach, St. Johns and Lake County on May 7, 2022, October 19, 2021, and December 30, 2020, respectively. There is currently no evidence that the virus has spread to domestic or wild rabbits from the four positive detections. Rabbit owners should continue to take prudent biosecurity measures, including not purchasing hay or other commodities originating in RHDV-2 affected states….
“FDACS encourages continued assistance with reporting mortalities (emphasis added), which are submitted for surveillance testing as warranted….
“RHDV-2 remains classified as a foreign animal disease. Therefore, suspect RHDV-2 should be reported to the Division of Animal Industry at RAD@FDACS.gov or calling (850) 410-0900. Testing rabbits is key to monitoring the disease spread. RHDV-2 has been observed as high mortality events in multiple species of wild (free-ranging) rabbits in the affected states as well. Wild rabbits introduced into domestic
populations have also served as a disease source to the domestic rabbits. Sick wild rabbits should not be introduced to a premises with domestic rabbits. Sick or dead wild rabbits should be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Wildlife Health Hotline: (866) 293-9282 [or wildlifehealth@myFWC.com] (emphasis added).
· All rabbits imported into Florida from a non-RHDV affected state are required to have an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) dated within 30 days of entry (see Animal Movement Page, https://www.fdacs.gov/Agriculture-Industry/Livestock/Animal-Movement)
· ALL SUSCEPTIBLE ANIMALS IMPORTED FROM A RHDV AFFECTED STATE MUST HAVE AN OCVI DATED WITHIN 72 HOURS OF ENTRY AND A VETERINARY STATEMENT”
https://www.fdacs.gov/content/download/98220/file/RHD2-Website-20211019.pdf
A current list of Florida veterinarians with available RHDV2 vaccines can be found at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/194cx6Tf3t5vDTaJp9bUpKLWMf4ohvxz69j3hmcPN__c/edit?usp=sharing