UPDATE: On July 27, 2023, EPA updated the Emerging Viral Pathogens Policy web page with the indefinite extension of the EVP policy for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2).
In July 2020, EPA triggered its Emerging Viral Pathogens Policy (EVP) to allow off-label claims against Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV2) to address the U.S. outbreak of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Fever. Though the EVP policy for RHDV2 was set to expire at the end of July 2023, EPA recently confirmed to SRC in writing that after consulting with the USDA, they will be extending the policy for RHDV2 indefinitely. The website has been updated to reflect this change.
EPA will provide at least 6 months of notice before terminating the allowance for off-label claims against RHDV2. EPA and USDA continue to work closely together to monitor the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Fever outbreak, and ensure that consumers are armed with the correct products to reduce transmission.
The USDA has continued to track new cases of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in the U.S. via its outbreak map, which displays new wild and domestic cases, along with areas where the outbreak is considered endemic. There is currently one wild case of the disease outside of the endemic area.
Consumers can continue to use EPA’s List Q to find disinfectant products with EVP claims that can be used against RHDV2. If you believe your product qualifies to be on List Q, contact your SRC consultant for assistance, or email disinfectantslist@epa.gov.
For more information on making off-label claims under the EVP Policy for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, please review Rhonda Jones’s 2020 blog on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Stereotype 2 (RHDV2) Outbreak Triggers EPA’s Emerging Viral Pathogen Policy.
Rhonda Jones, RM (NRM)
Chief Executive Officer
Published July 20, 2023 (Updated on 07/27/2023)
Rabbit image by Jack Bulmer from Pixabay