New calicivirus strain to be released in SA to control growing rabbit numbers
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Rabbit owners are being urged to make sure their pet is vaccinated, as the South Australian Government prepares to release a new strain of the calicivirus.
The virus was first released into Australia in 1996 as part of attempts to control feral populations.
Agriculture Minister Leon Bignell said while it initially had a dramatic effect on numbers, rabbits had been bouncing back.
"That had a dramatic effect on numbers but we've seen in recent years those numbers grow again," he said.
"This latest strain that comes from Korea is aimed at ... knocking those numbers down again."
Mr Bignell said rabbits were agriculture's most costly pest, causing $200 million in damage to the industry each year.
Australian Veterinary Association (SA) president Anne Fowler said the calicivirus was highly contagious, could kill within 24 hours and was spread through flies.
"Flies being attracted to the dying rabbit and essentially eating the discharges," Dr Fowler said.
"Those flies can actually carry that and hold that for a few days and travel elsewhere onto a rabbit."
Mr Bignell said that highlighted the importance of pet vaccinations.
"We don't want innocent victims with the pet rabbits of South Australia being killed off by the calicivirus," he said.
"Unless your rabbits are kept inside and in an insect-safe place, they're vulnerable, so the warning is if you've got a rabbit and you love your rabbit, get it vaccinated."
The release is part of a national program and will take place at 45 sites across South Australia in March.
Topics: pests, environment, rural, pest-management, science-and-technology, sa
