Ohio Dept of Agriculture: First Report of Hemorrhagic Disease ( 11/7/18 ) The office of the State Veterinarian was notified of the pathology report, and an investigation identified frozen liver tissue retained by the submitting veterinarian. This tissue was forwarded to the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (FADDL) at Plum Island (New York) and was found on 9/20/2018 to be positive for nucleic acid of RHD2 virus and not for that of RHD type 1 virus. Local cottontales were tested and were negative for the virus. Ohio Vet Med Association: First Confirmed US Case of RHD2 ( 9/25/18 ) Medina County, rabbits in horse stalls contract RHD2. The time from infection to first signs of RHD2 disease may be up to nine days. Affected rabbits may develop a fever and die within 12 to 36 hours. Infected rabbits may appear dull and be reluctant to eat; have congested membranes around the eyes; show nervous signs, incoordination or excitement; and paddling. Breathing may be difficult, and a blood-stained, frothy nasal discharge may be seen at death. Rabbits shed RHD2 in the urine or feces for as long as four weeks after infection. RHD virus can be spread on contaminated food, bedding, fur and water. Transmission of the RHD virus over short distances can occur by the contaminated clothing of people, biting insects, birds, rodents, wild animals, fur or vehicles