Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD),

Cuba , February 1, 2005

Impact Worksheet

Summary:  On January 21, 2005, OIE received a report of an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the Havana city and Havana province of Cuba.  This is the first outbreak of RHD in Cuba since 2001.  As of December 28, 2004, animals affected totaled 14,450, with 2,362 deaths.  A disease alert was issued in Cuba .  Surveillance was stepped up nationwide and a ban on movement of rabbits in and around the outbreak was implemented.  Stringent measures were applied in and around the outbreak and the necessary sanitary measures were adopted.

Cuba did not produce live rabbit or rabbits meat for export in 2003 or 2004. 

How extensive is RHD in Cuba , and what was Cuba ’s disease status prior to the outbreak?

On January 21, 2005, OIE received a report of an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the Havana city and Havana province of Cuba (see map).  The outbreak started in early December 2004.  As of December 28, 2004, animals affected totaled 14,450, with 2,362 deaths.  A disease emergency was declared in the province of Havana and Havana city, and a disease alert was issued in the rest of the country.  Surveillance was stepped up nationwide and a ban on movement of rabbits in and around the outbreak was implemented.  Stringent measures were applied in and around the outbreak and the necessary sanitary measures were adopted. 

This is the first report of RHD in Cuba since 2001. 

Source: OIE Disease Information Report; OIE Handistatus II

What is Cuba ’s place in the international market for rabbits and rabbit products?

Cuba did not produce live rabbits or rabbit meat for export in 2003 or 2004.  Information about rabbit production in Cuba is unavailable at this time.

Source: United Nations FAO

What are the US imports of rabbits or rabbit products from Cuba ?

The US did not import any live rabbits or rabbit products from Cuba in 2003 or 2004.  Neither Mexico nor Canada imported any live rabbits or rabbit products from Cuba in 2003 or 2004.

Source: World Trade Atlas; VS Import Tracking System

What is the level of passenger traffic arriving in the United States from Cuba ?

A total of 18,543 residents of Cuba arrived on flights to the US during 2003.  The USDA APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection database did not contain information about passengers from Cuba checked for agricultural products of interest.

Source: Office of Travel & Tourism Industries, US Department of Commerce, USDA APHIS-PPQ Agricultural Quarantine Inspection databases, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.

CEI’s plans for follow up:  CEI will continue to monitor the situation but has no plans at this time to issue additional reports.  If you need more information or if you want to comment on this worksheet, you may reply to this message, or contact Liz Williams (970) 494-7329 or Kathy Orloski (970) 494-7221.