RHDV1 K5 and rabbits

Pat from Karori

RHDV1 K5 is being released across the country – pet rabbit owners are urged to talk to their veterinarians about a vaccination plan.
The problem of pest rabbits - Pest rabbits have been a problem in New Zealand for many years. They cause damage costing New Zealand more than $50 million a year in lost production, plus an estimated $25 million in pest control a year.
In large numbers, pest rabbits: compete with livestock for pasture by eating the best grass cause extensive land damage from burrowing, making farming land useless
cause public nuisance and damage to public and private property.
They also breed prolifically, with a single female rabbit potentially producing up to 45 offspring in a year.
Farmers and other landowners can’t control these multiplying populations using traditional control methods alone (such as shooting or trapping). A collective called New Zealand Rabbit Coordination Group (RCG) was formed, including representatives from regional and district councils, Federated Farmers, the Department of Conservation, MPI and Land Information New Zealand.
Their task was to consider other methods of control. They landed on RHDV1 K5, which has already been released successfully in Australia. A new strain of an existing virus
RHDV1 K5 is the trade name for a virus used to manage pest European rabbit populations. It isn’t a new virus, but a new strain of the current RHDV1 virus, which many rabbits are now immune to. RHDV1 K5, which is specific to European rabbits only, overcomes this immunity. There are no reported cases of it infecting other animal species, and there is no known risk to humans. You can find out more about the RHDV1 K5 virus here. (PDF 120kb). Approval to use RHDV1 K5 in New Zealand In 2017, Environment Canterbury (ECAN) applied to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to approve the importation and release of the RHDV1 K5 virus into New Zealand. ECAN made the application on behalf of the RCG which meant that, if they were successful, RHDV1 K5 could be used by Regional Councils across New Zealand. In February 2018, we approved ECAN’s application. We did this after careful research, and weighing up the risks and benefits of allowing RHDV1 K5 to be introduced. We consulted with the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, and they determined that it was acceptable. We also considered whether the new strain would pose a risk to companion rabbits.
Concerns about pet rabbits
We understand that news of this new strain of virus may cause concern for people who own pet European rabbits.
That’s why understanding whether the existing vaccine, Cylap RCD Vaccine, would be effective was a key concern for us. We determined that it will be effective.
This vaccine is already used in New Zealand to protect rabbits against the existing virus, and all rabbits who have up-to-date vaccinations should be protected against this new strain.
There is plenty of this vaccine in stock in New Zealand, and we are advising all pet rabbit owners to talk to their vet to ensure their pets’ vaccinations are up-to-date. Rabbit owners may also want to form a group with other pet rabbit owners to reduce the costs of vaccinations – your vet can tell you more.
There are other steps you can take to protect your rabbits, including hygiene of hutches. Please see this NZVA Facebook post for more detail.
Release of the virus
The optimal time for the virus to be released is from late March through to April. MPI is not releasing the virus so for information about where and when the release will take place in your region, please contact your Regional Council.