Rabbit Calicivirus Disease
(
Viral hemorrhagic disease) |  |
| Rabbit calicivirus disease was first reported in 1984 in the People’s Republic of China, from whence it spread through the domestic and wild rabbit populations in continental Europe. The first report of the virus in the Western hemisphere was in Mexico City in 1988. Mexico successfully eradicated the virus by 1992. Recent outbreaks of rabbit calicivirus disease occurred in Australia (1995), New Zealand (1997), and Cuba (1997). In 1995, as a result of a laboratory accident in
southern Australia, the virus escaped and killed 10 million rabbits in 8 wk. Rabbit calicivirus disease was confirmed in a group of 27 rabbits in Iowa in April, 2000, in the USA. The source of infection was not determined. The outbreak was contained, the virus eradicated, and the USA remains disease free. |
| Rabbit calicivirus disease is highly infectious in European rabbits (
Oryctolagus
), but cottontail rabbits and jackrabbits are not susceptible. Humans and other mammals are not affected. The calicivirus is highly contagious and can be transmitted by direct contact with infected rabbits or indirectly by fomites. Infection results in a peracute febrile disease causing hepatic necrosis, enteritis, and lymphoid necrosis, followed by massive coagulopathy and hemorrhages in multiple organs. Rabbits show few clinical signs and die within 6-24 hr of fever
onset. Morbidity is often ~100% and mortality 60-90%. This is a reportable disease. |
