RABBIT HEMORRHAGIC DISEASE (RHD)

Presentation on Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD). By Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah Boateng on 13th September, 2020 On GARFA WhatsApp Platform. Good evening farmers. Thanks for inviting me to your platform. Please accept my sympathies for the loss of your rabbits due to RHD Type Two. Now to the main issue. Causative Agent: Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus Clinical Signs: Incordination, convulsions, prostration, severe pain, blood discharge from the nostril and eyes, sudden death and terminal squeals followed rapidly by collapse and death. Transmission: Direct contact with infected animals as well as formites. Rabbits can acquire this disease through oral, nasal or eye route. Most or all excretions including urine, faeces and respiratory secretions contain the virus. Flies and other insects are very efficient mechanical vectors.

NB. Although, viral replication does not occur in predators (e.g dogs) or scavengers (e.g vultures) , these animals can shed the virus in their faeces after eating infected rabbit carcasses. Treatment, Control and Prevention Treatment: N.B. There is no treatment for this disease.. Control: This disease can be controlled by the use of rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine in uninfected rabbit farms. In cass of outbreak, strict quarantine is necessary. Eradication of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease can be accomplished by depopulation, disinfection, surveillance and quarantine. Prevention: The maintenance of closed colonies and vaccination. All imported rabbits should be examined by a veterinary officer and also their vaccination status, especially for rabbits imported from countries with the history of Rabbit haemorrhagic endemism. NB: Monitor the disease presence in previously infected rabbit farms by the use of naive sentinel rabbits to check if they develop the disease after introduction. Advice and recommendations: NB. Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease is foreign to Ghana. Its an imported rabbit disease. Recommendations: 1. All imported rabbits should recieve the Rabbit Haemorrhagic virus vaccinations before buying. This vaccinations status should be insisted upon by the buyer at all times especially if the rabbit is being procured outside Ghana. 2. All imported rabbits should be allowed to go through the proper veterinary regulatory checks and animal disease control protocols at our ports - Advice to rabbit importers. Thank you! - Dr. Kwadwo Yeboah Boateng (Veterinary Surgeon) CSIR - Animal Research Institute. Adenta - Frafraha.