High Mortality of Wild European Rabbits during a Natural Outbreak of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease GI.2 Revealed by a Capture-Mark-Recapture Study.

ABSTRACT: Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) GI.2 has caused significant declines in the abundance of wild European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), contributing to the species being recently classified as "endangered" in its native range. The epidemiology of this virus is still poorly understood despite its relevance for domestic and wild rabbits. During a longitudinal capture-mark-recapture (CMR) study of wild Iberian rabbits, O. c. algirus, in a semiextensive breeding enclosure, an outbreak of RHDV GI.2 took place in January-February 2022, allowing us to estimate key epidemiological parameters of a natural outbreak. From April 2021 to July 2022, 340 rabbits were captured 466 times and individually identified, and some were vaccinated against myxoma virus (MYXV) and/or RHDV GI.

SUBMITTER: Jimenez-Ruiz S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12017207 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature