Local vets confirm outbreak of rabbit virus

The Randfontein Veterinary Services have raised concerns regarding a virus affecting rabbits and hares.

Recently, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development stated local veterinarians are concerned about the outbreak of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) virus that is currently spreading between rabbits and hares. The outbreak was first confirmed in areas such as Meyerton, Randvaal, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark and Walkerville in November 2022. However, the virus is quickly spreading towards Johannesburg.

Dr Wynton Rabolao, acting chief director of Gauteng Veterinary Services, stated that in the last two months, the virus has been confirmed to affect hares, feral rabbits, pet rabbits and commercial rabbits. Rabolao added that specialists providing veterinary services must be on high alert and act steadfastly to prevent facilities from sourcing the disease. He stated that the disease is most likely to spread within a group of rabbits.

Private veterinarian Hendrik Naude further confirmed that incidents of the virus have been noticed in Culemborg Park. Rabbits commonly roam the areas, however, the infected rabbits have been succumbing to the virus, according to Naude. He emphasised that there is currently no vaccination or treatment against the deadly rabbit virus.

“The RHD virus is a highly contagious and acutely fatal disease with a morbidity rate of almost 100%. Rabbits of all ages can be infected and the incubation period of of the virus is one to three days. Clinical signs of the virus include fever, anorexia, apathy, bloodstained nasal discharge, neurological issues, prostration and death,” he stated.

“The virus is busy spreading over the whole of South Africa. Hopefully, the virus will eradicate itself. If predators can eat the rabbits quick enough then it will stop the virus from spreading any further,” Naude said.