⚠️Rabbit Owners - New RHD2 Strain ⚠️

[Maddie Moo]

Sadly a new RHD2 strain has been detected It appears from the update email I’ve received from RWAF after this was posted that rabbits in the UK may have died from this but at the moment it is unconfirmed.

Please ensure your bunnies are up to date on their Myxo/RHD1/RHD2 vaccine (normally a 3 in 1) and vaccinate for the new strain when it’s available next year.

F10 and Virkon S are both disinfectants that kill RHD but due to their potency, the rabbits need to be moved until the area is dry! I’ve used Virkon S and it only takes a few hours to be properly dry (unless it’s carpet!). I’m using F10 hand gel before handling mine as well.

Please also consider changing your outdoor yard clothing and footwear before attending to your rabbits, to reduce any risks of spreading it - last time when RHD2 originally arrived here, it was showing in the wild rabbit and hare population as well.

More info here - RWAF Update

We are aware that there is, sadly, yet another strain of Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic disease out there: “virulent” or “highly virulent” RVHD2.​

It’s been detected in Hungary, France, Northern Italy and the Netherlands, where it makes up approximately 50% of the cases seen (the other 50% being “classical” RVHD2). As yet, we can’t be sure of its presence in the UK, as no work has been done to look for it. We are in the process of finding out if it is possible to do any surveillance for it, but we know from past experience with previous strains, that it is only a matter of time before it gets here, if it’s not here already.