Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
Copied from an email I have just received :
As always sadly we need to add notifications of outbreaks of Myxomatosis and VHD first. There have been many notifications and we must warn people that both diseases are widespread, and that rabbits suddenly dying with no clear symptoms may very well have suffered from RVHD. The trademark visible bleeding from orifices is in fact quite rare and any mysterious death should be treated with suspicion.
Recent reports of outbreaks have been as follows
Myxomatosis
Glen Clova, Angus (wild rabbits)
Sedgefield, Co Durham (wild rabbits)
Willington, Co Durham (pets)
Overton, Lancashire (wild rabbits)
Vale of York, North Yorkshire (wild rabbits)
Leyburn, North Yorkshire (wild rabbits)
RVHD
Bishops Castle, South Shropshire (awaiting Post Morten results for confirmation)
Harrogate, North Yorkshire (confirmed)
Shirley, Surrey (awaiting Post Morten results for confirmation)
We have also been notified about this message from the Government
Date: Fri 21 Aug 2015
From: Alan Wight <alan.wight@apha.gsi.gov.uk>
Re: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease - UK: (England) susp. 20150820.3591864
It should be noted that if the virus present in these cases is the RHD virus 2-like variant (RHDV-2), then the current vaccines available, (based on RHDV) may not provide effective protection. Full identification of the causative virus is therefore essential.
--
Communicated by
Alan Wight
<alan.wight@apha.gsi.gov.uk>
[In summer 2010 a RHDV variant, deciphered on the basis of the major capsid protein (VP60) sequence and designated RHDV-2, was detected in France, following which it spread across mainland Europe.
Subsequently, the availability of efficacious commercial vaccines that afforded protection against circulating RHDV strains enabled its control; however, in wild populations the effects of vaccination campaigns are considered inconsequential.
Since August 2013, an increased number of samples submitted for the investigation of RHDV were received in the Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, UK, eventually leading to identification of RHDV-2, as published in December 2014 (see Ref 1).
The following information on RHDV-2 is derived from the commentary of Mod.CRD in ProMED-mail's post 20150708.3494836:
"According to recent publications, the emerging lagovirus Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) has been described as a strain that infects not only rabbits but also hares. (http://tinyurl.com/pttjtp5).
RHDV2 is less virulent and with lower observed mortality rates than RHDV and RHDVa. However, the disease resulting from RHDV2 is longer in duration and will take a chronic or subacute course more often than RHD caused by the other viral strains.
<http://biome.biomedcentral.com/new-lagovirus-identified-as-cause-of-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease/>
Subscribers may want to refer to these 2 interesting articles which describe this new strain:
Camarda A, Pugliese N, Cavadini P, et al. Detection of the new emerging rabbit hemorrhagic disease type 2 virus (RHDV2) in Sicily from rabbit (_Oryctolagus cuniculus_) and Italian hare (_Lepus corsicanus_). Res Vet Sci. 2014; 97(3); 642-5. <http://tinyurl.com/pttjtp5>.
Le Gall-Recule G, Lavazza A, Marchandeau S, et al. Emergence of a new lagovirus related to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus. Vet Res. 2013;
44(1): 81. <http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/44/1/81>."
Laboratory tests to confirm the (suspected) diagnosis of the cases in
Maidstone (Kent) as reported in ProMED-mail's recent post
20150820.3591864 are anticipated. In line with Dr Wight's appreciated comment, genotyping of the causative virus is needed.
Reference
D. G. Westcott, DG and Choudhury, B. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2-like variant in Great Britain (Short communication). Veterinary Record 2015;176:74 doi:10.1136/vr.102830. (Published Online: 4 Dec 2014). - Mod.AS
Normally our message would be to vaccinate as that remains the only sure way to protect rabbits against these two awful diseases. However this has come at what could be a difficult time unless owners and vets work together to ensure that vaccinations are up to date. Here is a statement from MSD, the manufacturers of Nobivac, the vaccine that protects against Myxi and VHD
MSD Animal Health will be experiencing a temporary supply shortage with Nobivac Myxo-RHD for the period end of August to the end of October. This is due to an unexpected production delay. They apologise sincerely for the inconvenience this may cause but wished to give some advance notice to practices to facilitate practice planning and so that they are in a position to appropriately inform those rabbit owners that may be affected. No other MSD Animal Health vaccines are affected by the supply issue and this issue not related to any quality, safety or efficacy issue with vaccine being used currently.
MSD are working to improve this timeline and as an interim solution they are looking to provide an alternative multiple dose presentation of the same product from mid-September. Whilst we appreciate that this may be less than ideal it should ensure with appropriate planning that rabbit vaccines will continue to be available over this period to allow sufficient availability to provide essential cover for vulnerable rabbits.
Your veterinary practice should be receiving communications from MSD about this, and will be in the best position to advise owners due vaccines for their rabbits in their area over the next few weeks as to how and when they can get their rabbits vaccinated
It is important not to bring your rabbit's vaccinations forward in the short term since adequate product is expected to be available to ensure coverage of the population in the short term. Vets may have to prioritise vaccination of young and high risk rabbits in the short term but it is anticipated that there should be sufficient product available to cover demand once the alternative supply of product is expected to become available in mid-September
Practices will be best placed to advise on other ways of reducing the risk of infectious disease - stringent biosecurity and parasite control to reduce the opportunities of infection are particularly vital at this time. Take steps to ensure your rabbits are kept well away from potential sources of infection such as wild rabbits, and discuss with your vet how best to manage the risk of fleas and flies during this period.
MSD are working to improve this timeline and as an interim solution they are looking to provide an alternative multiple dose presentation of the same product from mid-September. Whilst we appreciate that this may be less than ideal it should ensure with appropriate planning that rabbit vaccines will continue to be available over this period to allow sufficient availability to provide essential cover for vulnerable rabbits.
Your veterinary practice should be receiving communications from MSD about this, and will be in the best position to advise owners due vaccines for their rabbits in their area over the next few weeks as to how and when they can get their rabbits vaccinated
It is important not to bring your rabbit's vaccinations forward in the short term since adequate product is expected to be available to ensure coverage of the population in the short term. Vets may have to prioritise vaccination of young and high risk rabbits in the short term but it is anticipated that there should be sufficient product available to cover demand once the alternative supply of product is expected to become available in mid-September
Practices will be best placed to advise on other ways of reducing the risk of infectious disease - stringent biosecurity and parasite control to reduce the opportunities of infection are particularly vital at this time. Take steps to ensure your rabbits are kept well away from potential sources of infection such as wild rabbits, and discuss with your vet how best to manage the risk of fleas and flies during this period.
MSD apologise for any inconvenience caused, and are communicating with practices to address the issues, doing all they can to provide an alternative. Since the alternative product has to be used within a few hours of opening, it is likely that many practices will be offering vaccination clinics to ensure that as many rabbits can be vaccinated as possible. To this end good communication between vets and owners will be needed to make sure the maximum number of rabbits benefit. Communication between rabbit organisations to group together rabbits for vaccination at practices may greatly help.
If your rabbits' vaccinations are due at this time of year, please don't panic. The multi-dose vaccine that MSD is providing will offer the same protection as the standard one, it just has to be used within a short time after opening, and that is why MSD is advising vets to hold vaccination clinics where clients whose rabbits' vaccination dates are close together will all be invited to attend and be vaccinated from the same batch. Please contact your vet to find out when that will happen in your area.
As always sadly we need to add notifications of outbreaks of Myxomatosis and VHD first. There have been many notifications and we must warn people that both diseases are widespread, and that rabbits suddenly dying with no clear symptoms may very well have suffered from RVHD. The trademark visible bleeding from orifices is in fact quite rare and any mysterious death should be treated with suspicion.
Recent reports of outbreaks have been as follows
Myxomatosis
Glen Clova, Angus (wild rabbits)
Sedgefield, Co Durham (wild rabbits)
Willington, Co Durham (pets)
Overton, Lancashire (wild rabbits)
Vale of York, North Yorkshire (wild rabbits)
Leyburn, North Yorkshire (wild rabbits)
RVHD
Bishops Castle, South Shropshire (awaiting Post Morten results for confirmation)
Harrogate, North Yorkshire (confirmed)
Shirley, Surrey (awaiting Post Morten results for confirmation)
We have also been notified about this message from the Government
Date: Fri 21 Aug 2015
From: Alan Wight <alan.wight@apha.gsi.gov.uk>
Re: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease - UK: (England) susp. 20150820.3591864
It should be noted that if the virus present in these cases is the RHD virus 2-like variant (RHDV-2), then the current vaccines available, (based on RHDV) may not provide effective protection. Full identification of the causative virus is therefore essential.
--
Communicated by
Alan Wight
<alan.wight@apha.gsi.gov.uk>
[In summer 2010 a RHDV variant, deciphered on the basis of the major capsid protein (VP60) sequence and designated RHDV-2, was detected in France, following which it spread across mainland Europe.
Subsequently, the availability of efficacious commercial vaccines that afforded protection against circulating RHDV strains enabled its control; however, in wild populations the effects of vaccination campaigns are considered inconsequential.
Since August 2013, an increased number of samples submitted for the investigation of RHDV were received in the Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), Weybridge, Surrey, UK, eventually leading to identification of RHDV-2, as published in December 2014 (see Ref 1).
The following information on RHDV-2 is derived from the commentary of Mod.CRD in ProMED-mail's post 20150708.3494836:
"According to recent publications, the emerging lagovirus Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 (RHDV2) has been described as a strain that infects not only rabbits but also hares. (http://tinyurl.com/pttjtp5).
RHDV2 is less virulent and with lower observed mortality rates than RHDV and RHDVa. However, the disease resulting from RHDV2 is longer in duration and will take a chronic or subacute course more often than RHD caused by the other viral strains.
<http://biome.biomedcentral.com/new-lagovirus-identified-as-cause-of-rabbit-haemorrhagic-disease/>
Subscribers may want to refer to these 2 interesting articles which describe this new strain:
Camarda A, Pugliese N, Cavadini P, et al. Detection of the new emerging rabbit hemorrhagic disease type 2 virus (RHDV2) in Sicily from rabbit (_Oryctolagus cuniculus_) and Italian hare (_Lepus corsicanus_). Res Vet Sci. 2014; 97(3); 642-5. <http://tinyurl.com/pttjtp5>.
Le Gall-Recule G, Lavazza A, Marchandeau S, et al. Emergence of a new lagovirus related to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus. Vet Res. 2013;
44(1): 81. <http://www.veterinaryresearch.org/content/44/1/81>."
Laboratory tests to confirm the (suspected) diagnosis of the cases in
Maidstone (Kent) as reported in ProMED-mail's recent post
20150820.3591864 are anticipated. In line with Dr Wight's appreciated comment, genotyping of the causative virus is needed.
Reference
D. G. Westcott, DG and Choudhury, B. Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 2-like variant in Great Britain (Short communication). Veterinary Record 2015;176:74 doi:10.1136/vr.102830. (Published Online: 4 Dec 2014). - Mod.AS
Normally our message would be to vaccinate as that remains the only sure way to protect rabbits against these two awful diseases. However this has come at what could be a difficult time unless owners and vets work together to ensure that vaccinations are up to date. Here is a statement from MSD, the manufacturers of Nobivac, the vaccine that protects against Myxi and VHD
MSD Animal Health will be experiencing a temporary supply shortage with Nobivac Myxo-RHD for the period end of August to the end of October. This is due to an unexpected production delay. They apologise sincerely for the inconvenience this may cause but wished to give some advance notice to practices to facilitate practice planning and so that they are in a position to appropriately inform those rabbit owners that may be affected. No other MSD Animal Health vaccines are affected by the supply issue and this issue not related to any quality, safety or efficacy issue with vaccine being used currently.
MSD are working to improve this timeline and as an interim solution they are looking to provide an alternative multiple dose presentation of the same product from mid-September. Whilst we appreciate that this may be less than ideal it should ensure with appropriate planning that rabbit vaccines will continue to be available over this period to allow sufficient availability to provide essential cover for vulnerable rabbits.
Your veterinary practice should be receiving communications from MSD about this, and will be in the best position to advise owners due vaccines for their rabbits in their area over the next few weeks as to how and when they can get their rabbits vaccinated
It is important not to bring your rabbit's vaccinations forward in the short term since adequate product is expected to be available to ensure coverage of the population in the short term. Vets may have to prioritise vaccination of young and high risk rabbits in the short term but it is anticipated that there should be sufficient product available to cover demand once the alternative supply of product is expected to become available in mid-September
Practices will be best placed to advise on other ways of reducing the risk of infectious disease - stringent biosecurity and parasite control to reduce the opportunities of infection are particularly vital at this time. Take steps to ensure your rabbits are kept well away from potential sources of infection such as wild rabbits, and discuss with your vet how best to manage the risk of fleas and flies during this period.
MSD are working to improve this timeline and as an interim solution they are looking to provide an alternative multiple dose presentation of the same product from mid-September. Whilst we appreciate that this may be less than ideal it should ensure with appropriate planning that rabbit vaccines will continue to be available over this period to allow sufficient availability to provide essential cover for vulnerable rabbits.
Your veterinary practice should be receiving communications from MSD about this, and will be in the best position to advise owners due vaccines for their rabbits in their area over the next few weeks as to how and when they can get their rabbits vaccinated
It is important not to bring your rabbit's vaccinations forward in the short term since adequate product is expected to be available to ensure coverage of the population in the short term. Vets may have to prioritise vaccination of young and high risk rabbits in the short term but it is anticipated that there should be sufficient product available to cover demand once the alternative supply of product is expected to become available in mid-September
Practices will be best placed to advise on other ways of reducing the risk of infectious disease - stringent biosecurity and parasite control to reduce the opportunities of infection are particularly vital at this time. Take steps to ensure your rabbits are kept well away from potential sources of infection such as wild rabbits, and discuss with your vet how best to manage the risk of fleas and flies during this period.
MSD apologise for any inconvenience caused, and are communicating with practices to address the issues, doing all they can to provide an alternative. Since the alternative product has to be used within a few hours of opening, it is likely that many practices will be offering vaccination clinics to ensure that as many rabbits can be vaccinated as possible. To this end good communication between vets and owners will be needed to make sure the maximum number of rabbits benefit. Communication between rabbit organisations to group together rabbits for vaccination at practices may greatly help.
If your rabbits' vaccinations are due at this time of year, please don't panic. The multi-dose vaccine that MSD is providing will offer the same protection as the standard one, it just has to be used within a short time after opening, and that is why MSD is advising vets to hold vaccination clinics where clients whose rabbits' vaccination dates are close together will all be invited to attend and be vaccinated from the same batch. Please contact your vet to find out when that will happen in your area.
The news just keeps getting worse *sigh*
