Dangerous rabbit infection nicknamed ‘bunny ebola’ spreading swiftly throughout southern United States Rozina Sabur The infection has a high death rate – AP More A deadly rabbit virus nicknamed “bunny ebola” is spreading out across the southwest United States, eliminating thousands of pet and wild bunnies. The initial recognized United States instance of the infection was among pet rabbits in Ohio in 2018. The tiny numbers of bunnies that do make it through continue to position a risk as they can continue to spread out the virus for at the very least 42 days, according to the House Rabbit Association.