History of RCD
RCD, also known as rabbit haemorrhagic disease, was first recorded in China in 1984. It spread rapidly throughout Asia and Europe, killing 64 million farmed rabbits in Italy alone. It reached the UK in 1990 and now affects European rabbits in 40 countries on four continents. It has several distinguishing characteristics, which are listed below.
- Rabbits generally die within 30-40 hours of infection, from heart and respiratory failure caused by the development of blood clots in vital organs. The manner of their death is relatively humane.
- Young rabbits, up to 5-8 weeks old, do not die of the disease. They become immune and survive to breed in the following season, but do not pass on their immunity.
- All tests to date have indicated that the virus affects only European rabbits (oryctolagus cuniculus).
- RCD is extremely stable in the environment compared to other viruses. Tests have shown that it can last for 105 days at 20°C when dried on cloth.
Reports on the mortality rate vary considerably. In the UK it was 15% among the age-susceptible animals in the first outbreak and 71% in the second. While the reason for this variation remains unclear, it appears that there is a related, but harmless, virus present in some rabbit populations in Europe which can stimulate rabbits to produce antibodies, which, through cross-reactivity, afford some protection against RCD. Tests for these antibodies in Australian and New Zealand rabbits have all been negative. It appears possible that the Czech strain of RCD imported into Australia may be more virulent than the UK strain.
Protective vaccines are available in those countries where the disease is endemic. These vaccines do not contain live viruses, and will be available in New Zealand should the need arise so that pet, farmed and laboratory rabbits can be protected.
Contact for Enquiries
Manager, Strategic Science Team
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0115
Fax: +64 4 894 0731
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