January 2023 Update

RHDV2 continues to be the dominant virus detected and has been particularly active in VIC during December (2022) and January (2023).

Over the holiday season, we have seen an increase in samples submitted for rabbit calicivirus testing, particularly from VIC and SA. This is likely associated with the warmer weather (Summer is well and truly here, despite all of the rain) and associated increase in fly activity. RHDV2 continues to be the dominant detected, with a single case of K5 detected in a wild rabbit in SA.

For a large number of submitted samples, calicivirus was not detected in the liver. Although the large number of negative rabbits in SA may suggest that calicivirus is not currently active in the area, we would still urge rabbit owners to take biosecurity precautions to help protect their rabbits:

• Decontaminate hands, shoes and clothing before handling rabbits
• Keep your pet rabbit indoors
• Regularly decontaminate equipment and materials including cages, hutches, bowls etc, with either 10% bleach, 10% sodium hydroxide, or a parvocidal disinfectant such as F10SC or Virkon
• Control insects (especially flies) as much as possible both indoors and outdoors
• Rabbit-proof your backyard to prevent access by wild rabbits
• Limit contact between and handling of unfamiliar pet rabbits

Additionally, pet rabbits should be vaccinated with Cylap® or Filavac® (AVA). Please note that it will take a few weeks for rabbits to build up their immunity following vaccination.

 

We also detected myxomatosis virus in eyelid samples of domestic rabbits from VIC and SA.

These rabbits displayed typical clinical signs of myxomatosis (swollen face, eyes and/or genitals, pus leaking from eyes and/or nose, lethargy). The warmer weather may attribute to increased mosquito activity, a vector for the virus. Please note that Australia does not have a vaccine available to protect domestic rabbits from myxomatosis.

 

If you suspect a rabbit may have died of calicivirus, you can request a free test kit by sending an email to rabbitcalicivirus@csiro.au with your postal address.