04/05/2024
I have been reporting WILD rabbit RHDV-2 cases from WHISPers for the past two years. For whatever reason, the recent case in Jim Wells county has caused controversy. To settle the debate, I personally called Dr. Sara Wycoff, the Texas Parks and Wildlife State Veterinarian, today to verify the report as accurate. She assured me that the RHDV-2 diagnosis is PCR positive through the Laboratories for Wildlife Disease Diagnostics. She assured me that WHISPers is an accurate and verifiable source that can be trusted to future case reportings.
Furthermore, she discussed with me the typical pattern for wild rabbits in TX. RHDV-2 activity peaks from January to June. In addition to the VERIFIED Jim Wells Co case, several other counties have had die offs consistent with RHDV-2 but were not tested due to a lack of quality carcass to send into the lab. This means that there are very likely more cases than is reported! I have and will only report confirmed and tested cases not the suspected counties impacted. I have no interest in spreading rumors. If you do not find this as a reliable source, please keep scrolling. I am providing this information as a courtesy for folks in TX who wish to be aware of RHDV-2 movement and updates that is more current than the quarterly USDA reporting.
It is important to remember that the Texas Animal Health Commison and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are seperate entities and do not necessarily communicate on every single test in a minor species. They are dealing with a much larger problem with Avian Flu at the moment. I have also been in communication with the TAHC regional director, they were unaware of the case, but they are now and have been provided the information to discuss with Dr. Wycoff.
In summary: Jim Wells County in South Texas is a verified PCR positive for RHDV-2.