VHD outbreak in north east England

Following the alert that was sent recently, we are repeating the message as below, which was taken from a newspaper published at the end of January.. Since the alert, there have been reports of an outbreak of VHD in the North east of England..



"Scotlands wild rabbit population is in danger of being totally wiped out by a deadly disease which is killing them in their thousands.

Colonies from the Borders to Aberdeen are being decimated by an outbreak of Viral Haemorrhagic disease. Experts have warned that the plague which strikes wild and pet rabbits could kill as much as 90% of the Scottish population and are calling for more to be done to monitor its spread. "

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Please be aware that VHD is highly contagious and once this virus takes a real hold in the countryside, it will sweep down from Scotland into England and Wales very quickly. How can pet rabbits catch VHD ?

* Hay may have been in contact with infected wild rabbits as grass growing in the field.

* Birds or insects may transport the virus on their feet ( or in their droppings) to your rabbits grazing on the lawn

* The virus may be blown on the wind

* You may bring the virus home on your feet ( or car wheels from rabbit droppings)

Please ensure that your rabbit has been vaccinated for both VHD and Myxomatosis and warn family or friends with a bunny how important it is that they are protected.

Thank you for the alert. All my buns are vaccinated but I shall make sure others I know are too.

This makes me want to be sick I've told my vet and posted all over facebook.

thanks for the warning mine arent vaced but il phone vet to see how much
it is tomorow how often do they need vacs

jill said:

thanks for the warning mine arent vaced but il phone vet to see how much
it is tomorow how often do they need vacs

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once every 6 months for VHD and once every year for myxomatosis :wave: normally I get my myxomatosis one first (There needs to be a two week gap in between the vacs) but right now I'd get your VHD first.

ETA: Sorry I got that the wrong way round - 6 months for myxi, yearly for VHD

Thank you for posting your alert, there is a sticky where most people post to alert people to VHD outbreaks http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=178703 and http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?t=178702 for myxie outbreaks. You may want to add the information posted on the appropriate thread.

This allows for details to be easily available for all to see and threads dont disappear which is what normally happens when you are looking for them.

jill said:

thanks for the warning mine arent vaced but il phone vet to see how much
it is tomorow how often do they need vacs

Click to expand...

VHD once a year

Myxi once every six months. :wave:

oh dear it seems I had this page open an hour and messaged without realising nicola had answered

PixieRabbit said:

VHD once a year

Myxi once every six months. :wave:

oh dear it seems I had this page open an hour and messaged without realising nicola had answered

Click to expand...

:lol: no worries I answered wrong anyway!

This is so sad This sounds stupid but I wish wild buns were vaccinated, poor mites.