From vials to volunteers to the constant flow of vehicles, the clinic in Gig Harbor, Washington, looks like one of the mass vaccination events happening everywhere these days. That is, until you look more closely at patients like Maise and Gus.
Maize the bunny isn’t here to get a COVID shot; she and dozens of other rabbits came to get the vaccine for RHDV2 (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus).
While humans are not affected by the disease, the highly contagious virus is bad news for rabbits. First identified in China in the 1980s, the initial outbreak of RHDV has eliminated more than 140 million rabbits. This newer strain, RHDV2, appeared in France in 2010. In 2019, Washington received the first case.
Dr. Alicia McLaughlin was the first veterinarian in the country to import the vaccine. Since RHDV2 has historically been a European disease, no American company has produced a vaccine; he had to get special permission to bring her to the United States
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“We had people who were desperate, you know, who called us repeatedly at the clinic, ‘Hey, we really want this vaccine. Please let us receive this vaccine, “she told Correspondent Conor Knighton.
The vaccine, said Dr. McLaughlin, “is more than 90% effective, which, as far as we know from COVID vaccines, is very good. We are very pleased with this. Given that the alternative is almost 100% fatal, it is really good.”
Today, cases of RHDV2 have been identified in several states. But since so few veterinarians got the vaccine, ascertainment a dose can still be an ordeal.
Knighton asked, “How far do people go to get the shot?”
“A few hours,” said Dr. McLaughlin. “I haven’t seen an upper limit on how far people are willing to travel to get the vaccine.”
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Sue Brennan, the owner of the Rabbit Haven rescue in Gig Harbor, was the driving force behind the mass vaccination clinics. He showed Knighton “Ruth Bunner Ginsburg.”
“Rabbits don’t have a lot of champions. Somehow I’ve connected soul to soul with them and I’m doing my best to make their lives better, better, happier,” Brennan said.
Through a partnership with a local veterinarian, Brennan’s group managed nearly a thousand photos: “What we’re trying to do is like COVID: Vaccinate everyone, stop the spread, stop the disease. People can get back to normal, bunnies can get back to normal. “
The bunnies were subjected to an unofficial residence order. The virus can remain on surfaces, including grass, so that it cannot go out into the yard. They certainly should not mix with other rabbits outside of their “pod”.
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At this time, the worst outbreak of RHDV2 is in the west and southwest, where a new variant has emerged from domestic rabbits to wild rabbits.
In California, the Oakland Zoo, in cooperation with federal and state wildlife agencies, has tested and vaccinated endangered endangered riparian rabbits if the virus makes its way to this small tail population.
Better safe than bad, which is why – even though there hasn’t been a confirmed case in Washington for more than a year – Dr. McLaughlin regularly vaccinates his patients.
Knighton asked, “When you manage those fires and send a fully vaccinated rabbit on the road, how do you feel?”
“Ah, I love to do it. I’m so happy!” she replied. “It’s like hitting the virus in the face! Like,” Take this! You don’t have to take this bunny! “
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The story edited by Remington Korper.