Disease finishes rabbits in Fourways
A deadly virus leaves carcasses of rabbits left right and centre. We spoke to the director of environment at Cedar Lakes Lifestyle Estate, Stewart Mcquade to tell us what you need to know about the virus.
Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease has hit Cedar Lakes Lifestyle Estate and Chartwell in Fourways. This according to Aneska Price from Cedar Lakes Lifestyle, has found the estate grappling with an emerging issue that has raised concern among the community, “While this virus is predominantly associated with wild rabbits, recent events have brought the threat closer to home,” explained Price.
Gauteng’s agriculture and rural development confirmed in a media statement that the rabbits infected by disease are hares, pets, feral, and commercial rabbits.
We spoke to the director of environment at Cedar Lakes Lifestyle Estate, Stewart Mcquade to shed some light on the outbreak and what residents with pet rabbits need to know about the disease.
In a series of documents, he has shared with the Review, Mcquade cites that RVHD2 stands for Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2, which is a highly infectious and fatal disease that affects rabbits.
“It primarily affects the liver and other organs, leading to internal bleeding and death within days of infection. It is easily spread through direct contact with infected rabbits or their feces, and contaminated objects or food sources. Insects like flies, mosquitos, ticks and fleas, birds, etc… that have been in contact with the virus from an infected rabbit/hare can also contribute to the spread.
The virus is a diehard, according to Mcquade it can survive several conditions. “RVHD2 can stay up to four months on objects and materials at room temperature, it can survive on decaying tissue of infected carcasses for up to 90 days (about three months) and also freezing – thaw cycles and freezing temperatures for up to eight months.”
He said the incubation period of the disease is anywhere between three to nine days, and ‘death usually occurs 12-36 hours (about 1 and a half days) after. Sadly, the death rate of rabbits exposed to this dreadful virus is extremely high, and 70% to 100% for RHDV2’.
“Many times, rabbits do not show signs before suddenly dying. This is known as peracute presentation.”
These are the symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- High fever
- Abdominal pain
- Neurological signs such as convulsions or paralysis
- Bleeding from the nose or mouth
But do not lose hope and panic, he said there are disinfectant products that can be used to prevent the deadly virus from infecting your furry friend, “Bleach mixed at 200ml of water with 10 minutes contact time. Virkon S: 20g powder in 1L water (2% solution), 10 minutes contact time. F10 SC (a veterinary disinfectant) mixed STRONG (same as for parvoviruses). Check the label on the bleach to make sure it is intended for disinfection, and not expired. Animals must be removed from the area when bleach/Virkon is used. Once diluted, bleach loses efficacy after 24 hours. Following disinfection, bleach should be rinsed off and surface dried before animal contact.
“First wash items and structures with soap and water and let them dry before applying the disinfectant. Then, submerge and saturate items or structures and spray with the proper dilution of one of the disinfectants as mentioned. It is critical that the appropriate contact time with the disinfected is followed. Contact time means leaving items saturated with the disinfectant for the specified time frame the disinfectant solution should be reapplied as needed to keep the surface wet during the entire contact time.”
