New rabbit virus could be released this year

The National Biosecurity Committee has agreed that the national release of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1) K5 is now likely to take place in Spring 2016 or Autumn 2017, pending outcomes of approvals, consultation and further scientific advice.

The national release of the new naturally occurring strain of RHDV1 K5 is part of a 20-year national biocontrol plan to control rabbits, which are described by the Department of the Environment as Australia’s worst threat to biodiversity, affecting 304 nationally threatened plant and animal species. Rabbits also decrease agricultural productivity in excess of $200 million a year.

RHDV1 K5 is a Korean strain of RHDV1, which is already widespread in Australia after its introduction in 1996. While RHDV1 initially knocked down 90% of the feral rabbit population, it was less effective in cooler climates and has recently faced immunity and resistance in the rabbit population.

K5 was selected to continue the efforts of RHDV1 because it can better overcome the protective effects of the benign calicivirus (RCA-A1), which naturally occurs in the feral rabbit population. Rather than resulting in a 90% reduction of wild rabbit populations, it is expected to boost the effects of the existing variant and help slow down the increase in rabbit numbers. It is also expected to work better in cool-wet regions.

The Invasive Animals CRC rabbit scientific committee is confident that RHDV1 K5 is safe, is humane, has a wide reach and will reduce the number of feral rabbits in Australia. However, the committee acknowledges that the virus is not the silver bullet for rabbit eradication in Australia and an integrated management approach is required.

The research team is still accepting online expressions of interests (EOIs) from landowners and managers wanting to be involved in the release of the virus. The team will strategically select sites mid-2016 and notify successful applicants.