Update on the disease killing our rabbits:
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus
Johan du Plessis, EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme Manager
In October 2022, a report came through to the EWT of a dead Scrub Hare in the Sutherland-Middelpos area in the Northern Cape. It was not an unusual occurrence, but it was just the first of many cases of hare and rabbit (lagomorph) deaths rapidly spreading as far as Springbok and Fraserburg in the Northern Cape and the Montagu area in the Western Cape. It was clear that something was infecting and killing rabbits much faster than normal.
We knew something very worrying was out there and feared for our indigenous lagomorph species. After testing affected carcasses at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Laboratory, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development issued a media statement on 17 November 2022 announcing what many had begun to suspect – the culprit behind the widespread mortalities of wild hares and domestic rabbits was confirmed as Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) – strain RHDV2. There have been more recent reports of wild hares dying in the Merweville and Beaufort West regions and domestic rabbits in Cape Town and surrounds. The presence of RHDV in South Africa, particularly in these areas, is of great concern as our indigenous Red Rock Rabbit, the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit, and other indigenous hare species are all susceptible to the virus, and they are far less prolific than domestic rabbits, and we cannot afford to lose too many or the populations will be under threat.
The virus originated in China in 1984 and has since spread to many countries. This virus is highly contagious but only affects lagomorphs (rabbits and hares). It spreads very easily, normally through direct contact between animals, but the virus is most likely also carried by flies and scavengers feeding on carcasses, and on clothes, shoes, and car tyres. RHDV is a controlled animal disease. We recommend contacting your nearest state veterinarian to take samples if you encounter unnaturally large numbers of dead rabbits/hares on your property. The unnecessary transport and touching of infected carcasses should be avoided as far as possible.
Poster identifying South African Dryland rabbits and hares
During the past few months, the EWT has tracked and mapped all known hare and rabbit deaths. While there have been many reports of dead hares and domestic rabbits, there have fortunately only been a few Red Rock Rabbit mortalities and no reported deaths of Riverine Rabbits. We continue to work closely with the department to record and map all reports and are pleased to note that the number of deaths reported has declined since December 2022.
We urge farmers to report any wild hare and rabbit deaths to ewt@ewt.org.za and include your name, farm name, cell number, and GPS location of the incidents (if possible). Please also contact your local state vet and request that necropsies be done and the specimens sent to Onderstepoort. Farmers with Riverine Rabbits on their farms are requested to monitor the riparian areas and immediately report any Riverine Rabbit deaths to the EWT.
Our Drylands Conservation Programme is also working closely with provincial and state veterinary departments to develop best practice guidelines on managing dead rabbits and hares on your property. These will be released as soon as possible. Until then, please get in touch with the local state vet for assistance with wild hares/rabbits, which can be identified with the help of the attached poster.
Western Cape contact details can be found here: https://www.elsenburg.com/veterinary-services/animal-health-and-disease-control/
Contact Dr Bertus Nel at 0273411045 or nel.bertus@yahoo.com or your closest state vet for assistance in Northern Cape.
Do you need help telling a rabbit from a hare? Here’s a quick reference on the rabbits and hares of South African Drylands