Disease: Myxomatosis
Pathogen
Myxoma virus is a pox virus that can infect the European Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and cause the deadly disease myxomatosis.
Susceptible species
The virus is found in two American rabbit species, Sylvilagus brasiliensis and Sylvilagus bachmani, where infection causes local skin tumors(?) (cutaneous fibromas). In the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) the same virus causes the disease called myxomatosis.
Signs in animals
In the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) the myxoma virus causes the fatal disease myxomatosis, which is characterized by systemic distribution of the virus and the development of secondary skin lesions (myxomas). The lesions (spots to thickenings in the ears and head, and around the genitals) that the animals show are typical for this disease. Additional bacterial infections cause eye inflammation and often fatal pneumonia.
Infection of animals
The myxoma virus is mainly transmitted via vectors like mosquitos. The virus can also be transmitted from one animal to the other via infected excretion, however this is not common.
External information
Research results
- Current situation of the research on hares (21/11/2024)
- Increased mortality in hares due to myxoma-like virus infection (20/09/2024)
Projects
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