A press release published by Utrecht Universityon August 12 revealed that the rate of acute mortality among rabbits has increased. Since December 2015, reports of such cases have been increasing throughout the country. Based on the clinical picture, the symptoms exhibited by the animals, and the data, it was determined that this is an outbreak of the rabbit disease VHD (Viral Hemorrhagic Disease).
This disease is caused by a deadly virus, also known as RHD (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease), although there are also other variants: RHVD (Rabbit Viral Hemorrhagic Disease), VHS (Viral Hemorrhagic Syndrome), and RCD (Rabbit Calicivirus Disease). However, it has now been determined that this is a new variant of the virus, referred to as the RHD2 virus.
VHD / RHD virus
VHD is caused by the so-called RHD virus, which is highly contagious and fatal to rabbits. It’s important to note that it poses no danger to you as the owner or to other pets such as dogs and cats, nor to other rodents or guinea pigs, for example. The virus can spread through direct contact between rabbits, but also indirectly via urine and feces, food, drinking water, and the hutch itself. It’s also quite possible that you could transmit the virus indirectly via your hands, shoes, and clothing. In addition, the virus is highly resistant to cold and frost, so it’s possible that you’ve been carrying it for some time. Biting insects, such as mosquitoes and fleas, are also often responsible for transmission.
On this page, you can read more about the virus, its symptoms, and what you can do as a pet owner.
Outbreak in the Netherlands
The new strain of the RHD virus was first detected in France in 2010, but six years later it appears to have spread throughout Europe. Currently, the entire country appears to be affected, but the highest mortality rates are seen particularly in the provinces of Limburg, Gelderland, Overijssel, Utrecht, South Holland, and Groningen. However, figures are not available for all provinces. Since the virus causes mortality in both domestic and wild rabbits, it is difficult to determine exactly how many animals are affected. In the wild, rabbits can also die underground as a result of the virus. This does mean, however, that the virus may also be present in the Southeast Brabant region.