BC, Canada: 100th anniversary rabbit show cancelled due to deadly virus

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/rabbit-show-cancelled-1.4605643

100th anniversary rabbit show cancelled due to deadly virus
The Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association is under a self-imposed quarantine
CBC News ? Posted: Apr 05, 2018 2:12 AM PT | Last Updated: 7 hours ago

As Vancouver Island's rabbit population continues to be ravaged by a serious virus, the Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association is taking special measures to contain the outbreak.

The association's 100th anniversary rabbit show, originally scheduled for June, has been cancelled due to an outbreak of the rabbit haemorrhagic disease, which can kill a rabbit within 36 hours.

The Victoria-based association bills itself as one of the oldest continuous rabbit clubs in North America, and its vice-president, Lois Fernyhough, says the virus is a serious concern.

"This is a very lethal, very contagious disease," said Fernyhough. "There isn't really much we can do."...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/can...faces-first-outbreak-of-rabbit-disease-in-bc/


North America faces first outbreak of rabbit disease in B.C.
Andrew Seal
VANCOUVER
Published 20 hours ago
Updated April 15, 2018

A local animal shelter that has worked for years to live up to its no-kill policy has had to euthanize more than 60 rabbits and members of a century-old breeding club on Vancouver Island have had to cancel this year?s show as part of efforts to stop the spread of a deadly virus.

Rabbit hemorrhagic disease attacks the organs and blood vessels of the creatures, prompting a lack of co-ordination and bleeding through the nose. It first showed up in Nanaimo in mid-February but has now spread to the Lower Mainland.

?It?s been referred to as bunny Ebola,? said Lois Fernyhough, vice-president of Vancouver Island Rabbit Breeders Association.

It?s the first North American outbreak of the virus, which is used intentionally in New Zealand and Australia to cull populations of feral, European breeds of rabbits.

Species of rabbits native to North America are immune, but can spread the virus, as can predatory animals, insects and humans. It?s highly contagious and can linger in the environment for weeks...