Rabbits are intelligent, affectionate, and increasingly popular members of the Dapto community. However, being a rabbit owner in New South Wales comes with a unique set of responsibilities primarily protecting your companion from the deadly Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV), commonly known as Calicivirus.
With planned wild rabbit control programs (K5 strain releases) often scheduled for early March across the Illawarra, now is the time to ensure your bunny’s protection is up to date.
What is RHDV and Why is it So Dangerous?
Calicivirus is a highly contagious and unfortunately fatal disease that affects the liver and blood vessels of rabbits. It is particularly “hardy,” meaning it can survive in the environment for months and be spread by:
- Direct contact with wild rabbits.
- Insects such as flies and mosquitoes.
- Contaminated footwear, clothing, or hay.
Because the virus is used as a biocontrol agent in Australia to manage wild rabbit populations, the risk to domestic pets is constant, especially during official release periods.
