Utah wildlife officials confirm deadly rabbit disease in Summit County

Deceased cottontail rabbits in Summit County recently tested positive for RHDV-2. Photo: Hongbin // UnSplash

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah — A highly infectious and often fatal disease is plaguing the rabbits and hares of Summit County, according to new data from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

Multiple deceased cottontail rabbits discovered in Kamas in late May confirmed that rabbit hemorrhagic disease, RHDV-2, is now present in local populations.

RHDV-2 was first detected in the United States in 2020. Since then, the disease has been confirmed in Uintah, San Juan, Wayne, Sanpete, and Iron counties. Summit County and Tooele county were also recently added to the list after deceased rabbits were tested for the disease this spring.

Prior to the most recent discovery in Summit and Tooele counties, the disease had not been confirmed in wild rabbits in Utah since July 11, 2022.

The disease can affect domestic rabbits as well, though there have been no confirmed cases since April 2025.

Although the disease can be fatal for rabbits and hares, it’s not known to affect humans or livestock, according to Utah DWR Veterinarian Ginger Stout.

“However, precautions should be taken when handling rabbit and hare carcasses to avoid spreading RHDV-2 or other known infectious diseases that rabbits can carry,” Stout said.

Key signs of RHDV-2 in rabbits are bleeding from the mouth or nose. The virus causes liver inflammation that prevents blood from clotting, and eventually, the rabbit dies from internal hemorrhage (bleeding). There is no treatment for RHDV-2.

“The virus can survive for months in the environment and can spread from dead rabbit carcasses or through food, water, and any other contaminated materials, like the urine or feces of sick rabbits, or through contact with the feces of predators that have eaten infected rabbits,” Stout said. “People can spread the virus indirectly by carrying it on their clothing and shoes if walking in and around areas where deceased rabbits are found.”

It is extremely difficult to control the disease once it’s established in the wild. Utah DWR encourages rabbit hunters and others who may come into contact with wild rabbits to follow safe practices:

• Do not harvest rabbits that appear sick or lethargic.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning harvested game.
• Decontaminate boots and other field gear with a 10% bleach solution after handling rabbits.
• When cleaning harvested game, bag any remains and dispose of them by placing them in the trash. (Before doing so, check local ordinances concerning the disposal of game carcasses.)
• Do not dispose of remains where other rabbits or other scavengers may have access to them.
• When you are finished processing your harvested game, wash your hands thoroughly with soap or disinfectant, and disinfect all knives, equipment and surfaces that came in contact with the game.
• If later contact with live rabbits is possible, hunters should shower and change clothing immediately after cleaning harvested game.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling harvested animals.
• All harvested game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
• If you notice any discoloration or hemorrhages on internal organs after harvesting the rabbit, or if you see anything that may appear abnormal or a cause for concern, please contact the nearest DWR office.

If you see signs of RHDV-2 in a domestic rabbit, contact your veterinarian immediately, or the State Veterinarian’s office at 801-982-2235. For more information about RHDV-2 in domestic rabbits, visit the disease information page on the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF) website.