Gary Bauer, [09 Nov 2022 at 20:42:56]: Anyone heard what's killing rabbits and hares in Northern and Western Cape. Anyone seen this and what are symptoms please? Jacques ODell, [09 Nov 2022 at 21:06:53]: Hi Gary. Yes, the Pathology Dept at FVS is assisting with the outbreak. So far looks very much like rabbit haemorrhagic disease. Waiting for PCR to be developed so we can confirm. Histopathology highly suggestive. How the disease got into SA remains a mystery but the riverine rabbits are in grave danger! Not sure if anyone has come across a sick hare/rabbit in the field, yet, they are only mostly just found dead. We are aware of some riverine rabbit mortalities but RHD has not yet been confirmed in them. Cause of death will in all likelihood be RHD. Jacoba Dongo, [09 Nov 2022 at 21:32:19]: Was Rift Valley fever ruled out? If my memory serves me right rabbits were affected in the Western Cape in previous outbreaks. Nicolize O'Dell, [09 Nov 2022 at 21:57:21]: Only one post mortem done so far (not a very fresh carcass) and histopathology on another (that I am aware of). Both look suspicious, but not confirmed yet. Waiting for a PCR like Jacques said. Sounds like more PM's are on their way to Onderstepoort so will hopefully have more info soon. Please send for PM's/histopathology if you come across any cases. Thanks Jacoba, will look into RVF as well. Nicolize O'Dell, [17 Nov 2022 at 15:27:59]: MEDIA STATEMENT 17 NOVEMBER 2022 THE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES THE OUTBREAK OF RABBIT HAEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (RHD) IN THE WESTERN AND NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCES The department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development which to announce the outbreak of the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in the Western and Northern Cape provinces. The department received reports of die-offs of wild rabbits and hares from the Karoo areas in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces. State Veterinary Services, Private Veterinarians and the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment were involved in field investigations. Postmortems were performed and samples collected to confirm the cause of the deaths. Diagnostic tests were performed at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Research Laboratory and the cause was confirmed as Rabbit Haemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHD is a disease caused by a virus (Calicivirus) and this is the first detection of the disease in South Africa. The disease results in a high number of deaths in rabbits and hares and animals die suddenly with bleeding in the organs such as the liver, kidney and spleen. At this stage it is still unclear how the disease could have entered the country, since the importation of rabbits and hares is not allowed. Investigations are underway to determine whether illegal importation could be the source. Control of RHD in rabbitries relies mainly on vaccination, but the vaccine is not available in South Africa. This increases the importance of biosecurity measures in rabbitries and anywhere where rabbits or hares are kept. Rabbit owners are advised to ensure that their rabbits are secured and must prevent any contact with other rabbits or hares, either directly or indirectly through people or equipment. Biosecurity measures are difficult to implement in wild populations. The occurrence of RHD in the Karoo is therefore of great concern, as our indigenous Red Rock rabbit, endangered Riverine rabbit and hare species are highly susceptible to this disease. Carcasses of RHD-infected rabbits may be a major source for viral spreading, since the virus seems to be highly resistant and stable, even when exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Members of the public are encouraged to please report any dead or dying rabbits or hares to the nearest State Veterinarian for investigation. -END- Issued by the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development: • Media Liaison Officer and Spokesperson: Mr Reggie Ngcobo, 0662980980 or MLO.Minister@dalrrd.gov.za. • Eviction Toll-free Number 0800 007 095 Follow us on: @DALRRDgov_ZA, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development or DALRRDgov_ZA Jacoba Dongo, [22 Nov 2022 at 18:14:54]: Talked to Jaco Pienaar SV Beaufort West today. He did have a RVF PCR pos vlakhaas/Cape hare in 2011. On pm I guess a DD for RHD. Nicolize O'Dell, [22 Nov 2022 at 18:45:39]: Was histopathology done on that case and did it look suggestive? Confirmed by IHC? More rabbit cases were received since and all of them looks typical. Also confirmed with PCR as RHDV-2. The histological liver lesions differ quite a lot from RVF (at least the lesions seen in ruminants). Jacoba Dongo, [22 Nov 2022 at 19:06:25]: According to him, PCR was positive for RVF. I will ask about histopathology. You can also ask Lieza Odendaal. She may have seen cases. Or ask Sophette Gers. Nicolize, "Vlakhaas" from Jaco Pienaar, State Vet Beaufort West, positive for RVFV by PCR in 2011, according to him. If anyone knows an expert on taxonomy and identification of the Leparidae (rabbits and hares) I will appreciate name and contact details. Sources differ on common names and distribution. Jacoba Dongo, [23 Nov 2022 at 02:32:39]: Can the IUCN red list data be considered as authoritative (the final word?) Jacoba Dongo, [23 Nov 2022 at 10:02:39]: The ÌUCN do have assessments on our hares and rabbit species (red rock rabbits now called red rockhares). I used to get Pdf assessments on the EWT website as well, but can not access them. Looks like they were the same or replaced by IUCN assessments. Jacoba Dongo, [23 Nov 2022 at 10:28:37]: Robinson, T.J., Child, M.F., Relton, C. & Johnston, C.H. 2019. Lepus saxatilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T41285A45188827. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019- 1.RLTS.T41285A45188827.en Johnston, C.H., Robinson, T.J., Child, M.F. & Relton, C. 2019. Lepus capensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T41277A45186750. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019- 1.RLTS.T41277A45186750.en Jacoba Dongo, [23 Nov 2022 at 15:04:19]: The IUCN indicated that they use the new taxonomy developed 2018. Genetic confirmation of species may be indicated, particularly when we deal with a new/emerging disease in wildlife. Accurate host identification is paramount to understand disease epidemiology and to apply appropriate control measures. This is especially important for multi-host pathogens such as the rabies virus, a major and almost invariably fatal zoonosis that has ..... The Importance of Accurate Host Species Identification in the Framework of Rabies Surveillance, Control and Elimination https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8954416/
