Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
With regard to the outbreak of rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD):
- How prevalent is the disease in the Western Cape, (b) in which areas of the province has the disease been identified, (c)(i) which species of rabbit are susceptible to the disease and (ii) which other animals can be affected, (c) what is the impact of this outbreak on endangered species, such as the riverine rabbit, and (d) what measures is his Department taking to contain the spread of the disease?
(a) The disease appears to be quite prevalent in the Western Cape although only a few samples have been analysed thus far. Since late October, sick or dead rabbits have been reported in 58 localities across the country; of which 43 are in the Western Cape.
(b) In the Western Cape, reports of domestic rabbit deaths have come from as far west and south as Hermanus and Durbanville. Most wild hare deaths have been reported from the Laingsburg Municipality, but there have been reports from as far west as De Doorns, and as far east as Klaarstroom and southeast of Murraysburg. There have been no reports from the coastal areas of the province.
(c) (i) To date, species that have been affected are domestic rabbits (Oryctolagus), wild hares (Lepus) and wild red rock rabbits (Pronolagus).
(ii) The disease is quite specific and only affects lagomorphs, i.e. rabbits and hares.
(c) If the disease reaches riverine rabbit habitat and if the species proves to be susceptible to the virus, it could be disastrous to the species which is already on the brink of extinction.
(d) A press statement has been released, urging members of the public to report suspected cases to their nearest State Vet who will advise on safe removal of carcasses. Rabbit owners are also strongly urged to practice strict biosecurity and not to introduce any new rabbits, touch any other rabbits or allow visits from other rabbit owners until there is more information available.
A vaccine against the disease already exists but is not yet available in South Africa. The vaccine has to be administered intravenously and while this may be an option to protect domestic rabbits, it is not a practical option to curb the spread of the disease among wild rabbits and hares.
