100th annual Vancouver Island rabbit show cancelled due to deadly disease outbreak

The Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association says its 100th-anniversary show in June has been cancelled because of an outbreak of the deadly rabbit hemorrhagic disease on Vancouver Island. File photo.

The deadly rabbit hemorrhagic disease confirmed on Vancouver Island has forced the cancellation of a milestone event in June.

The Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association announced on its website their 100th-anniversary show has been cancelled.

The RHVD-2 virus, which can kill affected European rabbits within 36 hours, was recorded for the first time in B.C. March 2 after a number of dead rabbits were found around Nanaimo.

The virus spread into the Comox Valley.

Originally set for June 9, the association says it hopes to reschedule the show as soon as they are given the “all clear” regarding the virus.

Although there is no vaccine available in Canada, the B.C. College of Veterinarians said March 28 the federal government granted an emergency import permit to bring the shot into the country.

The new protocol will allow the B.C. chief veterinary officer (CVO) to be the one in charge of distributing the vaccination.

The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm took preventative measures to protect their five bunnies from the illness by deciding not to re-introduce them to the public.

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