An outbreak of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Viral Disease (RHVD) has been detected across Gauteng, claiming the lives of tame and feral rabbits.
According to Willem Branjes of Morehill, he has lost all but one of his beloved bunnies in the past two weeks.
“I had a colony of more than 70 rabbits, which happily roamed my property for years,” said the distraught pensioner.
“About two weeks ago I found three of my rabbits laying dead on the ground, within two days another 40 was gone. It was the most horrendous sight.
“I only have one lone rabbit left. We call him Survivor now.”
According to the information received from the South African Veterinary Association, RHVD is a highly contagious, acute and fatal disease of rabbits, which was first identified in China in 1984.
A variant of the disease, named RHVD2 was identified in France in 2010 and has since spread throughout Europe.
The first outbreak in South Africa was reported in November, last year and has since spread to five provinces.
There have been 165 reported outbreaks in the Northern Cape, 41 in the Western Cape, six in the Free State, five in the Eastern Cape and an outbreak was confirmed in Gauteng.
The statement continues by saying that rabbits of all ages can be infected.
“Animals younger than six to eight weeks typically are not affected, however recent reports indicates that animals as young as 15 to 20 days old becoming infected,” the report read.
The association clarified that the virus has not been detected in any other mammals, including rabbit predators.
Transmission of the viral disease is through direct contact with infected animals through the oral, nasal or conjunctival routes, hair, food, bedding and water used by infected animals as well as flies and other insects.
Symptoms of the disease include fever, loss of appetite, bloodstained or frothy nasal discharge, convulsions and paralysis.
The incubation period for the virus is one to three days but can extend to five.
In acute infections, death occurs within 12 to 36 hours following the onset of fever.
Bunny Park
Vaccinations against RHVD are available, however, the association stated that it is difficult to implement amongst wild populations.
City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said that due to the severity of the virus as well as difficulty in preventing its spread, the Department of Parks and Cemeteries has opted, in recent years, to keep its rabbit colony at the Bunny Park in an enclosed space and have not procured any new rabbits.
“We, unfortunately, continuously face challenges with people dumping unwanted rabbits at the Bunny and Bokkie parks,” said Dlamini.
“This puts our colony at risk of falling victim to the disease.”
He added that to date no rabbit deaths have been reported at either of the parks and that staff are closely monitoring the situation daily.
“All our animals are regularly checked by assigned vets and our staff are trained to visually identify any abnormal symptoms or signs.
“Should a suspected infection be identified, the animal will be quarantined and receive medical assistance.”
Should members of the public see an animal presenting symptoms associated with the disease they are urged to immediately report it to the caretaker on duty or any other park employees.
After having to dispose of his colony of rabbits according to the association’s protocols, Brandjes says that following the harrowing experience, he has decided to not keep rabbits as pets any longer.
“I know that vaccinations are available to prevent RHVD and I urge rabbit owners to get their animals vaccinated as soon as possible,” he said.
Should you suspect that your animal may be infected, isolate it from the colony and contact your local veterinary clinic immediately. Quarantine and disposal protocols should be strictly adhered to.
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