What is Rabbit Hemorrahagic Disease (RHD)
Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) is a highly contagious disease caused by a calicivirus that affects only rabbits of the Oryctolagus cuniculus species. This includes wild and domesticated European rabbits, from which our own wild and domesticated rabbits are descended.. RHDV is also known by several other acronyms: RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), RCV (Rabbit Calicivirus), and RCD (Rabbit Calicivirus Disease). VHD, however, is often a very swift and sudden killer, giving little warning. Rabbits may die without showing any symptoms at all. The incubation period of this disease is very short, and rabbits may die within 48 hours of exposure to the virus that causes
RHDV.
- The death rate of rabbits exposed to this virus is very high, between 50 and 100%, with the latter number probably being closer to actual mortality rates. Rabbits who survive this di
- Rabbit calicivirus is a very hardy virus, remaining viable in the environment for 105 days at 20C (i.e. remains stable for 105 days at room temperature) and for 225 days at 4C and it resists freezing.
How VHD is spread?
RHDV is highly contagious. It can be spread by:
- Flying insects like the Australian Bush Fly, Black House Flies, Blow Flies and mosquitoes.
- Contact of a rabbit with inanimate objects contaminated by the virus (i.e. via fomites). Such object would include clothing, shoes, and car and truck tires.
- Direct contact of a rabbit with an infected rabbit or the faeces of an infected rabbit.
- Contact with rabbit products such as fur, meat or wool from infected rabbits.
- Insects, birds, and animals such as rodents are known to spread the virus by acting as indirect hosts. They can transport the disease, for example, from an infected rabbit to an unaffected rabbit.
What Can Essential Pest Control do to Introduce this to your site?
- We assess and develop the best Integrated rabbit management program for your site.
- Developed several standard operating procedures that we can work to depending on geographic areas and site requirements.
- We expect between 50% and 95% control on your site with a combination of RHDV Release and Gas and Collapse of warrens.
- Release and Gas and Collapse of warrens.
- There is no risk at all to native off targets, pets or humans.
Environmental Impact
Wild rabbits compete with native wildlife, damage vegetation and degrade the land. They ringbark trees and shrubs, and prevent regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings. Their impact often increases during drought and immediately after a fire, when food is scarce and they eat whatever they can. Feral rabbits may have caused the extinction
Call Essential Pest Solutions
and create the perfect Integrated Pest Management program
0438 422 580
