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No Bunnies at This Year’s IPE

Apr 30, 2018 | 5:31 PM

(by Kate Bouey)

There will be no hopping around at Armstrong’s Interior Provincial Exhibition, at least not by rabbits.

The popular, long-eared animals have been taken off the list of exhibits for this year’s fair after an outbreak of a rabbit hemorrhagic disease spread to the Lower Mainland.

There is concern the illness could spread further.

“We wouldn’t want any rabbits to be in danger of contracting this horrible virus disease,” said IPE General Manager Yvonne Paulson in a press release. “The IPE takes pride in our agriculture at the fair and always have the welfare of the animals at heart. We have acted responsibly and professionally in making this decision.”

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) is reported to be a serious viral disease that spreads easily and quickly in susceptible rabbit populations.

The illness does not affect humans and is not known to affect other animals, according to experts.