Herpesvirus

There are four known herpesviruses of rabbits. Leporid herpesvirus 1 (LHV-1) and Leporid herpesvirus 3 (LHV-3) are gammaherpesviruses and do not affect domestic rabbits. Leporid herpesvirus 2 (LHV-2; aka virus 3 and Herpesvirus cuniculi) is also a gammaherpesvirus that was first found in domestic laboratory rabbits in the mid-1920s and is asymptomatic. Leporid herpesvirus 4 (LHV-4) is classified as an alphaherpesvirus and can cause death in domestic rabbits.


 * LHV-1 cottontail herpesvirus: Found in Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern cottontail.
 * LHV-2: Found in domestic laboratory rabbits in 1924 while looking for causative agent of chickenpox.
 * LHV-3 Herpesvirus sylvilagus: Found in Sylvilagus floridanus Eastern cottontail.
 * LHV-4: Found in both commercial and pet rabbits in 1990.

Rabbits may also be affected by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) from humans. Infections in rabbits results in fatal encephalitis (brain swelling). Published reports of infections are associated with close contact between affected rabbits and infected humans.

Herpes simplex virus
Two varieties of the herpesvirus family (Herpesviridae) infect humans: herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, also known as human herpesvirus 1 and 2. Both HSV-1 and HSV-2 are found everywhere and contagious.

Symptoms

 * acute conjunctivitis
 * signs of central nervous system (CNS) dysfunction: circling, ataxia, seizures, and/or powerful spasms that cause backward arching of the head, neck, and spine (ospthisthotonus).

Extra resources

 * Wildpro. Herpes simplex Infection in Hedgehogs and Lagomorph
 * Weese, S. (2009). Transmission of herpesvirus from a person to a rabbit
 * Grest, P et al. (2002). Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in a Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
 * Janovitz, E et al. (1998). Fatal Human Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis in a Domestic Rabbit
 * Weissenböck, H et al. (1997). Naturally Occurring Herpes Simplex Encephalitis in a Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Leporid herpesvirus 4
Leporid herpesvirus 4 (LHV-4) is a novel alphaherpesvirus identified in domestic rabbits O. cuniculus.