The reintroduction, and subsequent impact, of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in a population of wild rabbits in south-western Australia

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 139 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Bruce ◽  
Laurie E. Twigg
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Morbidity Rate ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Population ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Deliberate Release ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Variable Impact

The natural arrival of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in south-western Australia in September 1996 resulted in a reduction in rabbit numbers of ~65% (~90% morbidity, with ~72% mortality of infected rabbits). As no signs of the disease (clinical or serological) were seen over the next two years, and as rabbit numbers over the last 12-month monitoring period at the site were similar to those observed before the natural 1996 RHDV epizootic (i.e. pre-RHD), RHDV was deliberately reintroduced into this rabbit population in April 1999 (autumn). Seven RHDV-inoculated rabbits were released prior to the main breeding season when <3% of sampled rabbits (n = 118) were seropositive for RHDV antibodies. Following the deliberate release, the overall decline in rabbit numbers (68%) was comparable to that seen during the natural 1996 epizootic. However, on the basis of the observed changes in rabbit numbers, and in their serology, the impact of the deliberate RHDV release appeared to be more variable across the six trapping areas than was seen during the natural 1996 spring epizootic. The reductions in rabbit numbers on these areas 6–8 weeks after RHDV-release ranged from 55% to 90%. The serology of the surviving rabbits on the trapping areas was also variable over this period, with the proportion of seropositive rabbits ranging from 5% to 90%. Overall, only 15% of the surviving rabbit population showed evidence of recent challenge by RHDV, giving a morbidity rate of 73% 8 weeks after the release. However, over 90% of infected rabbits died. This provides further evidence that some rabbits remained un-challenged by RHDV for up to 8 weeks after its release. The variable impact of the April 1999 release may have been partially caused by the observed differences in abundance of insect vectors, and/or an apparent increase in the incidence of non-virulent RHDV in the months preceding the release.

Seropositivity to rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus in non-target mammals during periods of viral activity in a population of wild rabbits in New Zealand

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 305 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Henning ◽  
P. R. Davies ◽  
J. Meers
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Target Species ◽  
Rabbit Population ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

As part of a longitudinal study of the epidemiology of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in New Zealand, serum samples were obtained from trapped feral animals that may have consumed European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) carcasses (non-target species). During a 21-month period when RHDV infection was monitored in a defined wild rabbit population, 16 feral house cats (Felis catus), 11 stoats (Mustela erminea), four ferrets (Mustela furo) and 126 hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) were incidentally captured in the rabbit traps. The proportions of samples that were seropositive to RHDV were 38% for cats, 18% for stoats, 25% for ferrets and 4% for hedgehogs. Seropositive non-target species were trapped in April 2000, in the absence of an overt epidemic of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) in the rabbit population, but evidence of recent infection in rabbits was shown. Seropositive non-target species were found up to 2.5 months before and 1 month after this RHDV activity in wild rabbits was detected. Seropositive predators were also trapped on the site between 1 and 4.5 months after a dramatic RHD epidemic in February 2001. This study has shown that high antibody titres can be found in non-target species when there is no overt evidence of RHDV infection in the rabbit population, although a temporal relationship could not be assessed statistically owning to the small sample sizes. Predators and scavengers might be able to contribute to localised spread of RHDV through their movements.

Substantial numerical decline in South Australian rabbit populations following the detection of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2

2018 ◽  
Vol 182 (20) ◽  
pp. 574-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Mutze ◽  
Nicki De Preu ◽  
Trish Mooney ◽  
Dylan Koerner ◽  
Darren McKenzie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Environmental Benefit ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Term Monitoring

Lagovirus europaeus GI.2, also commonly known as rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2, was first detected at two long-term monitoring sites for European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus, in South Australia, in mid-2016. Numbers of rabbits in the following 12–18 months were reduced to approximately 20 per cent of average numbers in the preceding 10 years. The impact recorded at the two South Australian sites, if widespread in Australia and persistent for several years, is likely to be of enormous economic and environmental benefit.

Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus: serological evidence of a non-virulent RHDV-like virus in south-western Australia

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 605 ◽  
Author(s):  
John S. Bruce ◽  
Laurie E. Twigg
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Serological Evidence ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

Although several different cELISAs have been used to assess the exposure of European rabbits to rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), the interpretation of the results of such assays is not always straight-forward. Here we report on such difficulties, and on the likely presence of a non-virulent rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus–like virus (nvRHDV-LV) in south-western Australia. Analysis of sera collected from European rabbits at Kojaneerup (near Albany) in Western Australia provided the first serological evidence of the likely presence of a nvRHDV-LV in wild rabbit populations outside the east coast of Australia and New Zealand, before the deliberate introduction of RHDV as biological control agent in both countries. Six out of 30 rabbits (20%) sampled 1–2 months before the known arrival of RHDV at Kojaneerup were seropositive to RHD on the basis of their IgG isoELISAs. However, none of these positive samples were positive for the RHDV antibody cELISA (1 : 10), indicating likely exposure to nvRHDV-LV. Subsequent serological analysis of 986 rabbits sampled between September 1996 and August 1999 at Kojaneerup indicated that nvRHDV-LV persisted in these rabbits following the natural arrival of RHDV in September 1996. At least 10–34% of rabbits appeared to have been exposed to nvRHDV-LV during the 3-year study. The presence of nvRHDV-LV seemed to offer only limited protection to rabbits from RHDV during the initial epizootic; however, persistence of nvRHDV-LV may have mitigated further RHDV activity after this epizootic. Fewer than 1% of rabbits (9 of 986) showed evidence of RHDV-challenge during the 30 months following the initial RHDV epizootic. Furthermore, except for the epizootic in September 1996, no clinical signs of the disease were apparent in the population until RHDV was deliberately reintroduced in April 1999. Mortality of rabbits exposed to RHDV at this time appeared to be correlated with their IgG isoELISA titre.

Does a benign calicivirus reduce the effectiveness of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) in Australia? Experimental evidence from field releases of RHDV on bait

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg Mutze ◽  
Ron Sinclair ◽  
David Peacock ◽  
John Kovaliski ◽  
Lorenzo Capucci
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Agricultural Pests ◽  
Genetic Sequencing ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
The Impact

Context. European rabbits are serious environmental and agricultural pests throughout their range in Australia. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) greatly reduced rabbit numbers in arid central Australia but had less impact in cooler, higher-rainfall areas. RHDV-like benign caliciviruses (bCVs) have been implicated in limiting the impact of RHDV in the higher-rainfall regions of Australia and also in Europe. Aims. Experimental releases of RHDV on bait were tested as a means of initiating disease outbreaks. Serological evidence of antibodies to bCVs was examined to determine whether they reduce mortality rates and/or spread of the released RHDV, and how that might influence the effectiveness of future RHDV releases for rabbit management. Methods. Four experimental releases were conducted in high-rainfall and coastal regions of southern Australia. Virus activity was implied from recapture rates and serological changes in marked rabbits, and genetic sequencing of virus recovered from dead rabbits. Changes in rabbit abundance were estimated from spotlight transect counts. Key results. Release of RHDV on bait produced disease outbreaks that challenged almost all animals within the general release area and spread up to 4 km beyond the release sites. Recapture rates were high in marked rabbits that possessed antibodies from previous exposure to RHDV and extremely low amongst rabbits that lacked any detectable antibodies. Rabbits carrying antibodies classified as being due to previous infection with bCVs had recapture rates that were dependent on circulating antibody titre and were ~55% of recapture rates in rabbits with clear antibodies to RHDV. Conclusions. This is the first quantified evidence that antibodies produced against bCVs provide significant protection against RHD outbreaks in field populations of rabbits. Implications. bCVs can greatly reduce the impact of RHDV on wild-rabbit populations in Australia and presumably elsewhere. RHDV can be effectively released on bait although further releases are likely to be of minor or inconsistent benefit for controlling rabbit numbers where bCVs are common.

scholarly journals The emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus: will a non-pathogenic strain protect the UK?

2001 ◽  
Vol 356 (1411) ◽  
pp. 1087-1095 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.J. White ◽  
R.A. Norman ◽  
R.C. Trout ◽  
E.A. Gould ◽  
P.J. Hudson
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Pathogenic Strain ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Seroprevalence Data ◽  
Age Structured ◽  
Reproductive Rates ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Age Structured Model

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus emerged in China in 1984, and has killed hundreds of millions of wild rabbits in Australia and Europe. In the UK there appears to be an endemic non–pathogenic strain, with high levels of seroprevalence being recorded, in the absence of associated mortality. Using a seasonal, age–structured model we examine the hypothesis that differences in rabbit population demography differentially affect the basic reproductive rates ( R 0 ) of the pathogenic and non–pathogenic strains, leading to each dominating in some populations and not others. The strain with the higher R 0 excluded the other, with the dynamics depending upon the ratio of the two R 0 values. When the non–pathogenic strain dominated, the pathogenic strain caused only transient mortality, although this could be significant when the two R 0 values were similar. When the pathogenic strain dominated, repeated epidemics led to host eradication. Seroprevalence data suggest that the non–pathogenic strain may be protecting some, but not all UK populations, with half being ‘at risk’ from invasion by the pathogenic strain and a fifth prone to significant transient mortality. We identify key questions for empirical research to test this prediction.

Distribution of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus RNA in Experimentally Infected Rabbits

2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 134-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kimura ◽  
I. Mitsui ◽  
Y. Okada ◽  
T. Furuya ◽  
K. Ochiai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Virus Rna ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

scholarly journals Molecular epidemiology of Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

2002 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 2461-2467 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Moss ◽  
S. L. Turner ◽  
R. C. Trout ◽  
P. J. White ◽  
P. J. Hudson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Nucleotide Sequencing ◽  
Molecular Evidence ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Molecular Phylogenetic ◽  
Virulent Virus ◽  
Rabbit Bone ◽  
European Rabbits ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

Millions of domestic and wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) have died in Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand during the past 17 years following infection by Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). This highly contagious and deadly disease was first identified in China in 1984. Epidemics of RHDV then radiated across Europe until the virus apparently appeared in Britain in 1992. However, this concept of radiation of a new and virulent virus from China is not entirely consistent with serological and molecular evidence. This study shows, using RT–PCR and nucleotide sequencing of RNA obtained from the serum of healthy rabbits stored at 4 °C for nearly 50 years, that, contrary to previous opinions, RHDV circulated as an apparently avirulent virus throughout Britain more than 50 years ago and more than 30 years before the disease itself was identified. Based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of British and European RHDV sequences, it is concluded that RHDV has almost certainly circulated harmlessly in Britain and Europe for centuries rather than decades. Moreover, analysis of partial capsid sequences did not reveal significant differences between RHDV isolates that came from either healthy rabbits or animals that had died with typical haemorrhagic disease. The high stability of RHDV RNA is also demonstrated by showing that it can be amplified and sequenced from rabbit bone marrow samples collected at least 7 weeks after the animal has died.

scholarly journals Immunogenicity in Rabbits of Virus-Like Particles from a Contemporary Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus Type 2 (GI.2/RHDV2/b) Isolated in The Netherlands

Viruses ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiuhong Miao ◽  
Ruibing Qi ◽  
Luut Veldkamp ◽  
Jooske Ijzer ◽  
Marja L. Kik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Disease Virus ◽  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Insect Cells ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Domestic Rabbits ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) type 2 (GI.2/RHDV2/b) is an emerging pathogen in wild rabbits and in domestic rabbits vaccinated against RHDV (GI.1). Here we report the genome sequence of a contemporary RHDV2 isolate from the Netherlands and investigate the immunogenicity of virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in insect cells. RHDV2 RNA was isolated from the liver of a naturally infected wild rabbit and the complete viral genome sequence was assembled from sequenced RT-PCR products. Phylogenetic analysis based on the VP60 capsid gene demonstrated that the RHDV2 NL2016 isolate clustered with other contemporary RHDV2 strains. The VP60 gene was cloned in a baculovirus expression vector to produce VLPs in Sf9 insect cells. Density-gradient purified RHDV2 VLPs were visualized by transmission electron microscopy as spherical particles of around 30 nm in diameter with a morphology resembling authentic RHDV. Immunization of rabbits with RHDV2 VLPs resulted in high production of serum antibodies against VP60, and the production of cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-4) was significantly elevated in the immunized rabbits compared to the control group. The results demonstrate that the recombinant RHDV2 VLPs are highly immunogenic and may find applications in serological detection assays and might be further developed as a vaccine candidate to protect domestic rabbits against RHDV2 infection.

scholarly journals Novel Trivalent Vectored Vaccine for Control of Myxomatosis and Disease Caused by Classical and a New Genotype of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus

Vaccines ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Reemers ◽  
Leon Peeters ◽  
Joyce van Schijndel ◽  
Beth Bruton ◽  
David Sutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
Viral Diseases ◽  
Serological Response ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
New Genotype ◽  
Vectored Vaccine ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease

Myxoma virus (MV) and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) are the major causes of lethal viral diseases in the European rabbit. In 2010, a new RHDV genotype (RHDV2) emerged in the field that had limited cross-protection with the classical RHDV (RHDV1). For optimal protection of rabbits and preventing spread of disease, a vaccine providing protection against all three key viruses would be ideal. Therefore, a novel trivalent myxoma vectored RHDV vaccine (Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS) was developed similar to the existing bivalent myxoma vectored RHDV vaccine Nobivac Myxo-RHD. The new vaccine contains the Myxo-RHDV1 strain already included in Nobivac Myxo-RHD and a similarly produced Myxo-RHDV2 strain. This paper describes several key safety and efficacy studies conducted for European licensing purposes. Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS showed to be safe for use in rabbits from five weeks of age onwards, including pregnant rabbits, and did not spread from vaccinated rabbits to in-contact controls. Furthermore, protection to RHDV1 and RHDV2 was demonstrated by challenge, while the serological response to MV was similar to that after vaccination with Nobivac Myxo-RHD. Therefore, routine vaccination with Nobivac Myxo-RHD PLUS can prevent the kept rabbit population from these major viral diseases.

Potential use of myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus to control feral rabbits in the Kerguelen Archipelago

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 415 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. D. Cooke ◽  
J.-L. Chapuis ◽  
V. Magnet ◽  
A. Lucas ◽  
J. Kovaliski
Keyword(s):  
Disease Virus ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Biological Control Agent ◽  
Myxoma Virus ◽  
European Rabbit ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus ◽  
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Haemorrhagic Disease ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Kerguelen Archipelago

Rabbits have caused enormous damage to the vegetation on seven islands in the sub-Antarctic Kerguelen archipelago, including the main island, Grande Terre. Rabbit sera collected during 2001–02 were tested for antibodies against myxoma virus and rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus with a view to considering the wider use of these viruses to control rabbits. The results confirmed work done 15–20 years earlier that suggested that myxoma virus has not spread across all parts of Grande Terre and occurs at low prevalence among rabbits. By contrast, on Ile du Cimetière, where European rabbit fleas were introduced in 1987–88, the prevalence of myxoma antibodies is high and the rabbit population is relatively low, supporting the idea that the fleas are effective vectors of myxoma virus. Consequently, there should be benefits in releasing fleas on Grand Terre to enhance disease transmission. Reactivity of some rabbit sera in RHD-specific ELISAs suggested that a virus similar to RHDV may be present at low prevalence on Grande Terre but most rabbits are likely to be susceptible and this virus could be considered for use as a future biological control agent.

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