Do rabbits spread diseases?

Question
do rabbit spead diseaes?


Answer
Dear Shu Ting,

There are almost no diseases that can pass from a rabbit to a human with a healthy immune system.

Rabbits and humans can both get certain types of mites (Sarcoptes scabei, for one) and ringworm fungus, but it's just as likely (maybe moreso) for a human to transmit these to a rabbit than the other way around.

Tularemia is a disease that can be contracted from eating the meat of wild rabbits--but this is generally not a risk with domestic rabbits.

In short, I would not worry about zoonotic (animal to human) diseases from rabbits.

Hope that helps.

Dana