Dead rabbits found in Helsinki’s Herttoniemi, virus suspected

Several dead rabbits have been found in Helsinki’s Herttoniemi district in recent weeks, with authorities suspecting a viral disease as the cause, Yle reports.

Helsinki’s supervisory veterinarian Päivi Lahti said the city has received three reports of multiple dead rabbits in the area, though the exact number remains unclear as not all carcasses are found. Some may also be removed by predators.

Samples from the dead rabbits have been sent to the Finnish Food Authority for testing, but results are not yet available. Similar discoveries were made in Herttoniemi in the past two years, though no wider outbreak has been observed elsewhere in the city.

Experts believe the rabbits likely died from a virus such as RHD (rabbit haemorrhagic disease), myxomatosis, or coccidiosis, as no visible injuries or illnesses were found on the carcasses. RHD, a highly contagious viral disease, attacks the liver and other internal organs, often leading to fatal internal or external bleeding within days.

Lauri Kareinen, a senior researcher at the Finnish Food Authority’s animal health unit, noted that RHD is a persistent issue in southern and central Finland and is gradually spreading north. The disease primarily affects rabbits but can also infect other lagomorphs.

RHD can spread to pet rabbits through direct contact, outdoor exposure, or even via contaminated shoes or plants. Kareinen strongly recommends vaccinating pet rabbits, as the disease is almost always fatal.