Arno Meintjies
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has received several reports confirming that Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus2 (RHDV2) has reemerged.
RHDV2 caused widespread mortalities of wild hares and domestic rabbits across the Northern-, Western, and parts of the Eastern Cape between October 2022 and February 2023.
According to a statement, the most recent reports indicate that the disease is active in the Knysna area in the Western Cape and the Langkloof area in the Eastern Cape.
The disease is specific to rabbits and hares (lagomorphs) and is not transmissible to people and other animals.
Conservationists have expressed concern about the impact of the disease on wild lagomorph populations and stated that mortality rates can be as high as 80%.
It is still uncertain what the impact will be on the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit, which occurs in low numbers and often in fragmented populations.
Riverine Rabbits are endemic to the Karoo and occur in three distinct geographical regions.
Pet rabbit owners are advised to exercise strict quarantine of their pets at home.
Members of the public are advised not to handle or move carcasses to avoid the further spread of the disease.
Any unusual deaths (hares found dead in the veld with no visible sign of trauma) should be reported to ewt@ewt.org.za or your nearest veterinarian.
