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Also known as '''''Rabbit Pox
Also known as '''''Rabbit Pox
[[Image:Myxomatosis_rabbit_logo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A European Rabbit afflicted by Myxomatosis Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Chris Bayley, 2007]]
[[Image:Myxomatosis_rabbit_logo.jpg|200px|right|thumb|A European Rabbit afflicted by Myxomatosis Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Chris Bayley, 2007]]
==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Vaccination and control of insect parasites are the most important means of disease prevention in domestic rabbits. In order to control fleas, wild rabbits should be kept away from pet rabbits and spot-on products may be used. Mosquito control can be achieved using insect repellent strips and fine mesh netting.
Vaccination and control of insect parasites are the most important means of disease prevention in domestic rabbits. In order to control fleas, wild rabbits should be kept away from pet rabbits and spot-on products may be used. Mosquito control can be achieved using insect repellent strips and fine mesh netting. The use of Vapona® strips and Nuvan Top® to prevent fly strike and myxomatosis is recommended (Lawton 1993). Rearguard® (Novartis) has a licensed place in the prevention of fly-strike. Permethrin sprayed on mosquito netting to cover hutches has been recommended.
The myxomatosis vaccine currently used in the UK is a live vaccine containing ''Shope fibroma'' virus (Nobivac Myxo, Intervet). Antibodies made against ''Shope fibroma'' provide cross immunity against myxomatosis. Intradermal vaccination is performed in order to achieve adequate immunity and annual booster vaccination is recommended. Live attenuated vaccines have been used elsewhere in Europe but have been associated with other side effects such as immunosuppression.
The myxomatosis vaccine currently used in the UK is a live vaccine containing ''Shope fibroma'' virus (Nobivac Myxo, Intervet) - Shope's fibroma virus causes fibromatosis, a benign disease of Sylvilagus loridanus, an American lagomorph species. Antibodies made against ''Shope fibroma'' provide cross immunity against myxomatosis for three months. Intradermal vaccination is performed in order to achieve adequate immunity and annual booster vaccination is recommended; the manufacturers advise revaccination every six months in the event of "high risk" exposure. Live attenuated vaccines have been used elsewhere in Europe but have been associated with other side effects such as immunosuppression.
===Note on “Shopes Viruses”===
===Note on “Shopes Viruses”===
In-contact rabbits might not be actually incubating the disease as they might not be infected yet and therefore the vaccine has a better chance of working. If they are already incubating the disease the vaccine won’t work so there is definitely no benefit if clinical signs are established and no point using it as a therapy.
In-contact rabbits might not be actually incubating the disease as they might not be infected yet and therefore the vaccine has a better chance of working. If they are already incubating the disease the vaccine won’t work so there is definitely no benefit if clinical signs are established and no point using it as a therapy.
{{Learning
|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28%28title%3A%28%22myxoma+virus%22%29%29%29+OR+%28%28title%3A%28%22myxomatosis%22%29%29%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Myxomatosis publications]
}}
[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=%28%28title%3A%28%22myxoma+virus%22%29%29%29+OR+%28%28title%3A%28%22myxomatosis%22%29%29%29&fq=sc%3A%22ve%22 Myxomatosis publications]
==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Leporipoxviruses]][[Category:Rabbit Viruses]]
[[Category:Leporipoxviruses]][[Category:Rabbit Viruses]]
[[Category:Rabbit Dermatology]]
[[Category:Rabbit Dermatology]]