First-ever reports of rabbit disease in SA raises concerns

A RABBIT haemorrhagic disease (RHD) outbreak has been declared in the Western and Northern Cape.

It was the first time the disease had been detected in South Africa, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development said yesterday.

The department urged residents to report dead or dying rabbits or hares to the nearest state veterinarian for investigation.

“The department received reports of a die-off of wild rabbits and hares from the Karoo areas in the Western and Northern Cape provinces.

“State veterinary services, private veterinarians and the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment were involved in field investigations.

“Post-mortems were performed and samples collected to confirm the cause of the deaths.

“Diagnostic tests were performed at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Laboratory and the cause was confirmed as RHD,” said the department.

RHD is a disease caused by a virus, calicivirus.

The disease results in a high number of deaths in rabbits and hares. The animals die suddenly with bleeding in organs such as the liver, kidney and spleen.

The department said it remained unclear how the disease had entered the country, since the import of rabbits and hares was not allowed.

“Investigations are under way to determine whether illegal imports could be the source.

“Control of RHD in rabbitries relies mainly on vaccination, but the vaccine is not available in South Africa.

“This increases the importance of biosecurity measures in rabbitries and anywhere where rabbits or hares are kept.”