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{{toplink
|linkpage =Viruses
|linktext =VIRUSES
|sublink1=Orthomyxoviridae
|subtext1=INFLUENZA
|pagetype =Bugs
}}
<br>
====Antigenicity====
*Single serotype
*Related to European Brown Hare Syndrome Virus
====Hosts====
*Rabbits
*Hares seroconvert without disease
====Pathogenesis====
*High and rapid mortality (within 2 days of contraction
*Systemic disease, including:
**Hemorrhage
**Generalized congestion, especially in the lungs and trachea
**Liver necrosis
*Clinical signs:
**Depression
**Anorexia
**Muscular tremors and incoordination
====Epidemiology====
*Infection of domestic rabbits occurs through contact with wild rabbits
*First described in China in 1984
*Reported in Europe since 1992, though current opinion holds a less pathogenic variant to be circulating in the wild population, affording some protection
====Diagnosis====
*Post-mortem lesions include hepatic necrosis and enlargement of the spleen
*Serology may be performed (ELISA and PCR)
====Control====
*Until 1996, RHDV was notifiable and slaughter was indicated
*Vaccination now exists and has proven effective
**Inactivated whole virus or recombinant capsid protein