RABBIT CALICIVIRUS (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease)

1. What is Rabbit Calicivirus?

‘Rabbit Calicivirus’ is the generic term for a group of viruses which cause disease in rabbits in Australia and around the world, also called Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus. These viruses spread easily within the wild and pet rabbit populations. The strains of virus in Australia include:

  • RHDV 1 - Original virus released in 1995

  • RHDV1A - Variant of type 1 isolated in Sydney in 2014

  • RHDV1 - K5 Variant (released in March 2017)

  • RHDV 2 - First recorded in mid 2015 in Australia, 2010 in Europe

  • RCV - A1 Non pathogenic virus present in wild population

2. How is the virus transmitted?

The virus is transmitted (spread) directly from rabbit to rabbit, on cage materials or feed. It is also spread by certain insects or by inhaling particles of virus from the air. Indoor rabbits can still catch the virus.

3. What are the clinical signs of Rabbit Calicivirus?

  • In cases of RHDV1 strain infections, illness is typically sudden in onset and quickly progresses to death. Animals may also experience fever, depression, and/or bleeding from the nose or ears. The majority of these cases will die.

  • In cases of RHVD2 disease is generally slower to progress. Animals may be lethargic, inappetant, develop diarrhoea, fever or hypothermia, and/or gut stasis. Rabbits may survive with intensive supportive care but many die over a 3-5 day period.

4. Which rabbits are most at risk?

All rabbits – including indoor rabbits – are at risk from calicivirus. While younger rabbits are more resistant to RHVD1 strains, this does not seem to be the case for RHVD2.

5. How do I protect my rabbit?

It is extremely important that all rabbits be regularly vaccinated against Calicivirus to help prevent the disease. Once they have the disease hospital treatments are unlikely to help and most will die. The vaccine available in Australia is known as CylapRCD. This was developed for the RHVD1 strain and also provides good protection against the K5 strain, and moderate protection against RHDV2.

Our recommended vaccination program to maximize protection is:

  • First vaccination before or at 8 weeks of age

  • Booster vaccination 2-4 weeks later

  • Booster vaccination every 12 months following for life.

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