Detection and Circulation of a Novel Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus in Australia

• DOI: 10.3201/eid2401.170412
• Publication Date: 2017-11-30T11:46:58Z
• Authors: Jackie E. Mahar; Andrew J. Read; Xingnian Gu; Nadya Urakova; Roslyn Mourant; Melissa Piper; Stéphanie Haboury; Edward C. Holmes; Tanja Strive; Robyn N. Hall
• Keywords: Recombination, Genetic; RHD; RHDVa; rabbit hemorrhagic disease; Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Rabbit; Research; R; Australia; RHDV; Animals, Wild; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Genome, Viral; 3. Good health; rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus; Medicine; Animals; biocontrol; Rabbits; Pest Control, Biological; Caliciviridae Infections

Abstract The highly virulent rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) has been widely used in Australia and New Zealand since the mid-1990s to control wild rabbits, an invasive vertebrate pest these countries. In January 2014, exotic RHDV was detected Australia, 8 additional outbreaks were reported both domestic rabbits 15 months following its detection. Full-length genomic analysis revealed that this is a recombinant containing RHDVa capsid gene nonstructural genes most closely related nonpathogenic caliciviruses. Nationwide monitoring efforts need be expanded assess if increasing number of different variants circulating Australian environment will affect biological rabbits. At same time, updated vaccines vaccination protocols are urgently needed protect pet farmed from novel