Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus

Description

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a virus that typically causes a rapidly fatal disease in European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). There are two species of RHDV present in Australia (RHDV1 and RHDV2). RHDV1 is used as a biological control agent to reduce the feral rabbit population in Australia. Strain v351 has been used since 1996, while strain K5 has been used since 2017. Both the v351 and K5 strains are RHDV1. RHDV2 was first detected in 2015 in Australia. It is currently the strain causing most of the deaths in domestic rabbits.

In most adult rabbits the disease progresses rapidly from fever and lethargy to sudden death within 48-72 hours of infection. The incubation period for the RHDV is between one to three days. Most rabbits will show no clinical signs of RHD but may have signs of haemorrhage on post mortem. The disease causes acute liver damage with resultant blood clotting abnormalities. Death occurs due to liver necrosis and/or internal haemorrhages. RHD has a mortality rate of 70 to 90% in susceptible rabbits.

All RHDV strains can spread easily by contact between infected rabbits (via faeces, urine, saliva, nasal and eye secretions and mating) and fomites including hay, food, clothing, shoes, people, cages, equipment, dust, insects, wild birds and rodents.

The RHDV1 vaccine (Cylap®) has been shown to be effective against RHDV1 strains v351 and K5. The vaccine is less effective against RHDV2 where protection is estimated to be between 60 and 70%.

Other control measures include

Preventing direct and indirect contact between domestic and wild rabbits.
Avoiding cutting grass and feeding it to rabbits if there is the risk of contamination from wild rabbits.
Wash hands, with warm soapy water between handling rabbits.
Good insect control is also important and will help reduce the risks of introduction of both RHDV and myxomatosis. Insect control could include insect proofing the hutch or keeping the rabbits indoors.
Infected rabbits should be isolated and disposed of in a manner that will minimise environmental contamination.

Estimating the prevalence of immune feral rabbits prior to release of the control strains is recommended. A high sero-prevalence in the rabbits is an indication that release of the virus is not likely to be successful in reducing numbers.

Diagnosis and tests available

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is based on clinical history and detection of RHDV.

Tests available

Click on + in the tables below for sampling requirements and additional test information

Code	Name	Samples required	Species	Turnaround time	Price (excl. GST)	Notes	Test days
HIST_HE1	Histopathology – Preparation & Examination	Fixed Tissues- General Fresh tissues immediately placed in formalin Tissue pieces should not be greater than 1cm cubed to ensure proper fixation Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue Fixed Tissues- Nervous tissues Submission of whole brain is required to ensure preservation of TSE target sites submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue Brains submitted for Nervous tissues are processed once a week, separate to general tissues to ensure consistent and reliable results. Urgent cases can be processed out of cycle if clearly marked on the Submission Form however this may reduce the quality of the brain histology results, so should only be requested in extremely urgent cases. Fresh Tissues Fresh tissues can be submitted following necropsy The quality of the tissues will be reduced due to the effects of autolysis so ideally fixed tissue should be submitted in neutral buffered formalin at a ratio of 10:1 formalin: tissue	All species	Up to 10D	$84.95	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	Monday - Friday
RHDV1_ABEL	Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus 1 Antibody ELISA*	Clotted blood (Red top) 1-2 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube. Blood should ideally be collected from 8-10 feral rabbits from each proposed release site. Submit chilled.	Rabbit	Up to 7D	$15.55	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
RHDV1_AGEL	Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus 1 Antigen Capture ELISA (v351 strain only)	Fresh liver 1-5 grams of liver Submit chilled (not frozen) in leak proof container.	Rabbit	Up to 7D	$15.55	D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
RHDV2_ABEL	Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease virus 2 Antibody ELISA*	Clotted blood (Red top) 1-2 ml of blood collected into a plain red top tube. Blood should ideally be collected from 8-10 feral rabbits from each proposed release site. Submit chilled.	Rabbit	Up to 7D	$15.55	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	According to demand
RHDV_2PCR	Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV) Real-Time PCR Panel*	Fresh liver 1-5 grams of liver Submit chilled (not frozen) in leak proof container.	Rabbit	2-3D	$128.65	* Denotes analyses not covered by the NATA scope of accreditation. D (number of working days) and W (number of weeks). Test TAT does not include weekends and public holidays.	As required

Additional specimen requirements

Histopathology specimen requirements

Fixed tissue
Liver or spleen Submit fixed in neutral buffered formalin at a 10:1 ratio of formalin: tissue.

Additional Information

Customer Service

Contact Customer Service for enquiries relating to testing and results, quotations and pricing, couriers, sample submission and invoicing.

NSW DPIRD's laboratories are committed to continual improvement of services. If you would like to provide feedback, please fill in and submit the online feedback form.

CONTACT DETAILS
Phone	1800 675 623
Email	laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au
Operating Hours	8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays) 8:30am-12:00pm Saturday (for deliveries only)
Postal Address	Private Bag 4008, Narellan NSW 2567

Quotations

For Animal export, Plant health or Veterinary quotations, please complete the online quotation request

Submission Forms

Veterinary Specimen Advice Form

Please Note: These documents are not fully web accessible, please contact Customer Service (laboratory.services@dpird.nsw.gov.au) for more information.

Courier services and specimen delivery

For NSW submissions, please contact the relevant Customer Service team for courier account details and to order consignment notes.

For submitters outside of NSW, Couriers can be contacted directly to make bookings and arrange collection of packages at the submitters own cost.

Commercial couriers may use either road or air transport and specimens should therefore be packed in accordance with International Air Transport Association (IATA) requirements. Most submission sent by veterinarians to the APHL for testing are defined as “Biological Substance Category B” and must be packed according to the IATA packing instructions 650 (Biological Substance Category B). As requirements for transport can change, customers should consult with their transport agent to obtain current requirements.

Samples may also be hand delivered to the site during normal business hours (8.30am - 4.30pm).

Sample Type	Laboratory	Street Address
Animal (including aquatic animals)	NSW Animal and Plant Health Laboratories (APHL)	EMAI, Woodbridge Road, Menangle NSW 2568