02 Feb Protect Your Pet Rabbit from Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus – Vaccination Urgent Before March 2026 Release
The upcoming wild rabbit control program in Greater Sydney (including the Central Coast) is set to release Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1-K5) in the first week of March 2026. This is part of efforts by authorities to manage populations of wild rabbits (European rabbits, Oryctolagus cuniculus), which have long been a major pest in Australia, damaging agriculture, native vegetation, and ecosystems.
This rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, also known as rabbit hemorrhagic disease or rabbit calicivirus disease, is a highly contagious and often fatal virus that affects both wild and domestic rabbits. While the program targets wild rabbit populations for control, it poses a real risk to pet rabbits — even those kept strictly indoors — because the virus can spread through direct contact with infected animals, contaminated food, clothing, bedding, or even insects like mosquitoes.
Hey, if you’re a rabbit owner reading this, I know how much your bunny means to you. We’ve seen adorable patients like Tago come in for their shots, and it’s always heartwarming to help keep them safe. Vaccination is one of the best ways to protect your pet’s health against this serious disease.
Tago Image:
Tago with Dr Eimear getting a health check after his vaccination
Understanding Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV)
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease is caused by the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), a calicivirus that primarily targets European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Australia has used strains of this virus for biological control of wild rabbits since the 1990s, with the newer RHDV1-K5 strain released nationally starting in 2017 and continuing in targeted programs, including recent and upcoming releases in NSW.
A variant called RHDV2 has also been present in Australia since around 2015, becoming a dominant strain in many areas. It affects both wild and domestic rabbits and can cause similar severe outcomes. The new strain being released in 2026 is RHDV1-K5, aimed at boosting control efforts against wild rabbits.
This disease virus spreads easily — through infected bodily fluids, carcasses, or indirect contact — and survives in the environment for months. That’s why even indoor rabbits need protection, especially with planned releases nearby.
Symptoms of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease can progress very quickly, often with few obvious signs before it’s too late. Common symptoms of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus infection include:
- Sudden death (the most frequent outcome, sometimes with no prior warning)
- Fever
- Lethargy and depression
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Bleeding from the nose, mouth, or rectum (often bloody or frothy discharge)
- Convulsions, lack of coordination, or neurological signs like seizures
- In some cases, jaundice or congested eyes
These signs appear rapidly — often within 1-3 days for RHDV1 strains — and the disease has a high mortality rate, typically 70-100% in unvaccinated rabbits. Some rabbits may survive if mildly affected, but most do not, and there’s no cure once infected. Early detection is tough because the virus acts so fast.
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease looks alarming when bleeding or sudden collapse occurs, but many cases end in rapid death without much visible suffering beforehand.
Is Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Curable? And Can a Rabbit Survive Calicivirus?
Unfortunately, rabbit hemorrhagic disease is not curable. Supportive care might help in rare mild cases, but the virus causes severe liver damage, internal bleeding, and organ failure. Survival rates are low without prior vaccination — most infected rabbits don’t make it.
Does Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Spread to Humans or Other Animals?
No, rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (including RHDV1-K5 and RHDV2) does not infect humans, livestock, pets like dogs or cats, or other animals beyond rabbits and hares. It’s not zoonotic — no risk from direct contact with an infected rabbit, and it’s not contagious to people at all.
What About Myxomatosis? Is It Still Used in Australia?
Myxomatosis was introduced in the 1950s as an earlier biological control for wild rabbits and reduced populations dramatically at first. However, wild rabbits developed resistance over time, so it’s less effective now. Current programs focus more on RHDV strains for better control, though myxomatosis may still circulate naturally.
Protecting Your Pet Rabbit: Vaccination Is Key
With the RHDV1-K5 release scheduled for early March 2026, the best protection is vaccination before mid-February 2026. Two vaccines are available in Australia:
- Cylap®
- Filavac VHD K C + V
Vaccination greatly reduces the risk of your bunny contracting rabbit hemorrhagic disease from the upcoming program or natural spread. Even if your rabbit lives indoors, don’t take chances — this virus is tough.
Ready to keep your bunny safe? Book an appointment with us at Southern Cross Vet today for top-notch rabbit care and vaccination. Call 1300 DOC SAM (1300 362 726) or head to scvet.com.au/book — we’d love to help your furry friend stay healthy!
We truly care about rabbit health and animal welfare here. Our team has the expertise to guide you through vaccination, answer questions, and provide the Gold Standard Veterinary experience. Don’t wait — schedule that visit now by calling 1300 DOC SAM or booking online at scvet.com.au/book. Your rabbit will thank you!
For more details on the program, check the Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW news or Local Land Services resources.
References:
- Veterinary Practitioners Board of NSW: Notification on RHDV1-K5 Wild Rabbit Control Program (2026).
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) approvals for rabbit vaccines.
- Centre for Invasive Species Solutions and historical data on RHDV releases in Australia.
- Veterinary sources on RHDV symptoms and transmission (e.g., Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, USDA APHIS, Merck Veterinary Manual).