25-June 2024
A slow trickle of RHD-related deaths is reaching our report lines with cases in Nigel, Eastern Springs, Walkerville, Muldersdrift, and Bronkhorstspruit, while other areas include some in Gqeberha, Garden Route (George and Knysna), as well as some deaths in Welkom.It has been shown in patterns all over the world that Autumns create a small spike in cases as the temperatures drop, while full-blown breakouts and surges hit during springtime. This is because of the medium temperatures experienced in these seasons. Special Care should be taken to ensure we do not experience full-blown breakouts like in 2023 when more than a third of South Africa’s Rabbits were wiped out in just 3 months.RHD Struck Gauteng and Garden Route especially hard, but seeing how spread happened in the past, we are expecting surges to rise in Cape Town areas this year.Meanwhile Veterinarians are worrying and working out their biosecurity measures and protocol, getting ready in advance for the September Surge. Less than a third of the rabbits that were vaccinated last year this time have been done, according to a few of the vets. One vet said straight, “It seems if it is not in the main news, and being made a drama of the whole time, people think it disappeared, and do not plan ahead. Then, when the huge surge comes, it is a total panic, and everyone jumps. We are urging people to take precautions, and also remember that the vaccine does not have maximum efficiency anymore as you close in on the 12th month, with basically no cover anymore after the 12 months.”Another Cape Town vet stated that they are worried, that people’s rabbit vaccinations have expired already, and this will be a huge factor for a larger spike in the area.Another vet was worried, stating that people who want to vaccinate only when the surges strike, actually can cause a bigger spread factor and put a lot of pressure on vet practices. many vet practices had to resort to vaccinating in owners vehicles, and issuing certificates later, to ensure that containment and biosecurity rules were followed.Southern Cape Bunny Haven has started urging people to ensure they acquire enough hay before the surge, as last year created much difficulty in the correct feeding, and many bunnies had been based advice on re dental related issues like weepy eye, while others started having loose stomachs from a lack of fiber.Let us not be caught out like last year! RHD is still dwindling in the background, and though the Autum Spike was slow and low, we are expecting just as much devastation in the Spring Surge, as we had last year, esp if less vaccinations are being done.
