What is Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD)?
A. RHD is a virus disease specific to rabbits. There is no evidence that it is a risk to humans or other animals. The virus causes rapid development of blood clots in the major organs with death usually in 30-40 hours from heart and respiratory failure. It is considered to be humane. In the rangelands, RHD kills about 85 to 95 percent of susceptible rabbits. It has been of more variable success in the wetter parts of Australia where rabbits are found. A significant proportion of rabbits less than 8 weeks old become infected with the virus but do not fully develop the disease. The reason for this is not clear but if they survive to adulthood they are immune from RHD for most of their life. They can pass on immunity to their young via their milk but their young soon lose this immunity and become susceptible to RHD.
