You can learn more about rabbit hemorrhagic disease 2 by reading this article. The National Wildlife Health Center has also published a technical fact sheet on the disease. The fact sheet also includes information on how to control the disease, including how to control humidity.
Biological control of rabbit hemorrhagic disease 2
A recent report suggests that a new outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease has occurred on Vancouver Island. This outbreak is separate from COVID-19, but a warning has been issued to pet rabbit owners in the Lower Mainland and across the Australian Capital Territory.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 is a calicivirus that causes a form of necrotizing hepatitis in rabbits. This disease has a high mortality rate in Europe. Several countries consider it an endemic virus. The virus was purposely introduced in Australia and New Zealand as a biocontrol for rabbits. However, the factors that caused the emergence of RHD 2 remain unclear. The virus has two subtypes, one of which is non-pathogenic and one that is pathogenic.
The virus may have originated in a species other than rabbits, or it could have come from an unidentified reservoir host. While the exact source of RHDV is unknown, scientists have detected viral RNA in micromammals in sympatry with European rabbit populations. These animals may represent an unknown reservoir and play an important role in the transmission of RHDV.
The disease is present on almost every continent, with significant mortality rates. It is endemic in most parts of Europe and Asia, but it has also been found in parts of Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. The incidence of RHD outbreaks in these regions is strongly related to the number of European rabbits present in those areas.
Biological control of European brown hare syndrome
The European brown hare is a widespread and endangered game species that is found in many parts of Europe. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies its population as “least concern.” Despite its widespread distribution, the hare’s population has declined significantly over the past 50 years because of predation and multiple epidemics of disease, including European brown hare syndrome.
Despite the lack of a clear scientific definition for the cause of European brown hare syndrome, the species appears particularly susceptible to the disease. Serological surveys of European hare populations have revealed a range of occurrences of antibodies to T. gondii, from 0% to 46%. Moreover, seroprevalence varies within and between regions, and even within cities.
Although European brown hares are not affected by the disease caused by myxomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, they are susceptible to the disease caused by a form of calicivirus, which has been confirmed to cause fatality in hare populations in some countries. In Australia, however, the disease has not been detected in any populations. Biological control of European brown hare disease includes removing trees and shrubs and grazing pastures to control hare populations.
The disease’s effects are caused by changes in gut microbiota. These changes can lead to reduced fitness, enteritis and other diseases, and ultimately, death. The effects of these changes are evident from recent health screenings of hare populations.