Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
MEDIA RELEASE
04/07/2016
RHDV2 now confirmed in European brown hares
The Invasive Animals CRC national rabbit biocontrol monitoring program has confirmed through
laboratory testing that Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus 2 (RHDV2) was present in three
recently deceased European brown hares in Australia – one in Victoria and two in South
Australia.
RHDV2 is specific to Lagomorph species, which include rabbits and hares. Australia only has two
Lagomorph species - the European rabbit and the European brown hare. In Australia, RHDV2
has now been confirmed in these two invasive Lagomorph species, and has not been found to
infect or kill any native or other introduced species. In Europe, RHDV2 has infected European
rabbits, Cape hares and Italian hares, and similarly has not infected or killed any other native or
introduced species.
“It is important to recognise there are different strains of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus.
RHDV1 is currently used in Australia as a biocontrol agent and is totally rabbit specific. A new
strain of RHDV1 (the Korean K5 strain) is currently being proposed for national release in 2017,”
said Andreas Glanznig, CEO of the Invasive Animals CRC.
European brown hares (Lepus europaeus) are considered a threat to Australia’s environment and
our multi-billion dollar agricultural industry. They were introduced to mainland Australia in the
1860s for hunting purposes and have since established populations throughout South-eastern
Australia including Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and
South Australia.
“It is unknown how RHDV2 arrived into Australia, after it was first discovered in a European rabbit
in the ACT more than a year ago” explained Mr Glanznig.
“European brown hares are regarded as a pest in Australia according to a government risk
assessment. Like rabbits, they can cause damage to trees by gnawing bark and can feed on
agricultural crops. They also threaten many native plant species by browsing on foliage and
seeds,” said Mr Glanznig.
The Invasive Animals CRC along with its partners, are assisting authorities in monitoring the
movement of the disease within Australia. You can find out more about our rabbit biocontrol and
invasive animal research at PestSmart Connect - www.pestsmart.org.au
Media contact:
Ian McDonald, Communications Manager, Invasive Animals CRC
P: 02 6201 2890 | M: 0429 985 643 | E: [email protected]
The Invasive Animals CRC is supported by the Australian Government’s Business Cooperative Research Centres Programme
Image by Peter Tremain supplied by Invasive Animals CRC
Image by Wayne Hillier supplied by Invasive Animals CRC
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