Spillover Events of Infection of Brown Hares (Lepus europaeus) with Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Type 2 Virus (RHDV2) Caused Sporadic Cases of an European Brown Hare Syndrome-Like Disease in Italy and Spain

• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12562
• Publication Date: 2016-09-12T04:12:57Z
• Authors: R. Velarde; P. Cavadini; A. Neimanis; O. Cabezón; M. Chiari; A. Gaffuri; S. Lavín; G. Grilli; D. Gavier-Widén; A. Lavazza; L. Capucci
• Keywords: European rabbit

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a lagovirus that can cause fatal hepatitis (rabbit disease, RHD) with mortality of 80–90% in farmed and wild rabbits. Since 1986, RHDV has caused outbreaks rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Europe, but never European brown hares (Lepus europaeus, EBH). In 2010, new RHDV-related virus, called RHDV2, emerged causing extended epidemics because it largely overcame the immunity to present most rabbit populations. RHDV2 also was identified Cape hare capensis subsp. mediterraneus) Italian corsicanus). Here, we describe two distinct incidents infection EBH occurred Italy (2012) Spain (2014). The strains macroscopic microscopic lesions similar syndrome (EBHS) hares, they were genetically related other Europe. EBHs are common often sharing habitat They likely have been exposed high levels during recent years, yet only found Spain, suggesting not primary host. Instead, may act as spillover hosts situations when pressure barriers between limited, resulting occasional infections EBHS-like lesions. serological survey stocked sera taken from Spanish populations provided an understanding naturally occurring field confirming its sporadic occurrence EBH. Our findings increase knowledge on distribution, host range epidemiology RHDV2.