09/06/2020
Important news to keep your rabbit safe. 🐰
NEW DEADLY STRAINS OF CALICIVIRUS TO BE RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR AROUND AUSTRALIA (UPDATE RELEASED PUSHED BACK TO FIRST WEEK OF MARCH 2017) - PLEASE SHARE
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Sharing again - REPORTED CASES OF RABBITS BEING AFFECTED BY RHDV 2 BOTH NOR AND SOR IN PERTH - Please share
RHDV 2 made it to SA two month ago, so no doubt it is now in WA. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-18/rabbit-owners-warned-as-new-calicivirus-detected-in-sa/7522594
PLEASE NOTE: This strain was deliberately released in Australia.
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Another new fatal strain of the deadly strain of the Calicivirus is set to be released around the nation later this year (UPDATE to be realeased early 2017) RHDV1 K5 is a variant of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, RHDV 1, that causes a fatal haemorrhagic disease in the European rabbit. There is also another strain already in Australia called RHDV 2, which is currently found in Vic, ACT and NSW (UPDATE: in WA as well). RHDV works by causing internal bleeding which kills the infected rabbit within 48 hours.
The Petsmart website (previously called feral.org.au), reports this virus as being "one of the more humane methods of controlling wild rabbits. Basically the rabbits end up with ‘cold-like’ symptoms, become lethargic and then die quickly. Post-infection, there is a rise in body temperature lasting up to 24 hours, followed, in 70–90% of cases, by death up to 48 hours after the onset of a fever."
They also claim it as being "specific to the European rabbit", "however a vaccine for domestic and production rabbits is available". According to petsmart.org.au, trials for the vaccine showed that all rabbits given the vaccine survived being infected with the RHDV1 K5 virus, however none of the un-vaccinated rabbits infected with RHDV1 K5 survived.
The vaccine used to protect pet rabbits against RHDV1 K5 is called Cylap and is the same vaccine used to prevent RHDV1 in pet rabbits, which had been available in Australia since 1996. The AVA recommends that all pet rabbits be vaccinated against the deadly virus at kittens, followed by annual boosters, but we would suggest discussing the best vaccine program with your rabbit's veterinarian.
However the current vaccine does not protect all pet rabbits against the RHDV 2 strain, and death can be experienced in young kittens and vaccinated adults. A new vaccine is currently being developed in Europe, but it is still recommended that kittens be vaccinated with Cylap at 4 weeks, with a booster given at 12 weeks, followed by yearly vaccinations.
UPDATE: As of the 30th January 2017 the AVA have initiated a warning to rabbit owners to have their pets vaccinated. RHDV 1 has been present in WA since around 1996 and RHDV 2 was detected late 2016 in WA.
According to the AVA, Western Australia will have three strains of this deadly virus once the latest RHDV1- K5 strain is released:
RHDV 1 - Original virus released in 1995
RHDV1 - K5 Variant (release planned in early 2017)
RHDV 2 - First recorded in mid 2015 in Australia
For further information please see the links below or speak to your veterinarian.
http://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-frequently-asked-questions/
http://www.pestsmart.org.au/rhdv-k5-what-about-my-pet-rabbit/
http://www.pestsmart.org.au/spring-2016-or-autumn-2017-release-proposed-for-new-rabbit-virus/
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/new-strain-of-deadly-calicivirus-to-be-released-on-west-australian-rabbits-20160211-gmrmvq.html
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2016/s4453354.htm
http://www.news.com.au/national/tasmania/warning-over-rabbit-virus/news-story/06968978ef42ec0104640a36d888a7da
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-04/new-strain-of-calicivirus-arrives-in-wa/7901854?pfmredir=sm #.V_RGVGDfjXQ.twitter
http://www.ava.com.au/rabbit-calicivirus
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