Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
RHDVa strain found in Spanish domestic rabbits on Iberian Peninsula
By Abrantes, Joana et al.·Published in Archives of virology·2014·CIBIO/UP·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of RHDVa on the Iberian Peninsula: isolation of an RHDVa strain from a Spanish rabbitry.
- Species:
- rabbit
Plain-English summary
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a serious illness that can lead to many deaths in both wild and pet rabbits. A new version of this virus, called RHDVa, was first found in Italy in 1997 and is now spreading in Europe, sometimes replacing older strains. This study found RHDVa in a rabbit breeding facility in Spain, where it was previously believed that this variant was not present. This discovery highlights the ongoing changes in the virus's spread and its impact on rabbit populations.
Abstract
Rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV), genus Lagovirus, family Caliciviridae, causes a large number of deaths in wild and domestic adult European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The first documented outbreak dates from 1984 in China, but the virus rapidly dispersed worldwide. In 1997, an antigenic variant was detected in Italy and designated RHDVa. Despite causing symptoms similar to those caused by classic RHDV strains, marked antigenic and genetic differences exist. In some parts of Europe, RHDVa is replacing classic strains. Here, we report the presence of RHDVa on the Iberian Peninsula, where this variant was thought not to contribute to viral diversity.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23942953/