Rabbit calicivirus outbreak in NSW – Spring 2022

October 29th, 2021

Over the last two weeks we have received multiple reports of rabbit sudden deaths throughout NSW, particularly from the Sydney basin region.

Testing results aren’t available yet from this outbreak. But given the time of year and the types of reports we have received we expect that this is due to an uptick in calicivirus activity. As the weather warms up, fly activity increases and flies are known to carry the virus between rabbit populations. We have also heard that wild rabbits are breeding prolifically, presumably because all the wet, warm weather has led to a lot of feed being available. This increase in wild rabbit populations may also drive virus outbreaks.

 

Sadly, we have also been told that the Cylap vaccine is in short supply in Australia and we are unlikely to get more in until early 2022.

Where possible, we recommend enhancing biosecurity measures to try to protect domestic rabbits.

For example,

  • 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

 

More information can be found on the RSPCA website.

 

If you suspect a rabbit may have died of calicivirus, you can request a testing kit by emailing your postal address to RabbitCalicivirus@csiro.au