Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) - information for veterinarians

Summary

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV1) K5 was released nationally in the first week of March 2017. The release of this virus is used as a biocontrol measure to manage wild European rabbits. RHDV1 K5 is not a new virus; it is a Korean variant of the existing virus already widespread in Australia that was released in 1996. RHDV1’s, including RHDV1 K5 are strongly species specific viruses, affecting only lagomorphs, and in particular the European rabbit. They are not known to cause disease in any other Australian animal species.

Topics in the Primefact include:

• Vaccination of pet and breeding rabbits against RHDV1
• Biosecurity measures
• Clinical signs of RHDV1 K5 infection
• How is the virus spread?
• RHDV in Australia