Many wild rabbits found dead in Helsinki during summer

A large number of dead wild rabbits have been found in the Herttoniemi area of Helsinki over the summer, said the City of Helsinki in a press release on Friday.

A few rabbits have been sent to the Finnish Food Authority for examination and the rabbits have been found to carry the RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease) virus.

The virus is not believed to pose a risk to other animal species or people.

The supervising veterinarians of the City of Helsinki have also received reports of individual dead rabbits in Laajasalo and Kulosaari as well.

Samples have been collected from Laajasalo and submitted for analysis, but the results are not yet available.

The city recommends against taking pet rabbits outdoors in areas with wild rabbit populations.

The authority also advised not to gather plants for pet rabbits to eat from areas populated by wild rabbits.

The RHD virus can survive in the environment for several weeks.

The city recommends vaccinating pet rabbits against the RHD virus, as the virus can also be carried indoors, on footwear.

Any rabbit carcasses found in yards can be put in a mixed waste container.

People should not touch the carcasses with bare hands and advised to use protection such as disposable gloves or an inside-out plastic bag.

Burying rabbit carcasses is not recommended.

For a more thorough examination of the disease, it is best to use a carcass that is as fresh as possible.

People were also advised to report to the City’s supervising veterinarians, if they find a rabbit that has just died.