Combing 17 years of field data on wild rabbit mortality and a model of rabbit populations has provided researchers with insight to the interactions between rabbit diseases – concluding that rabbits that have survived myxomatosis are more vulnerable to RHDV than those not previously infected by myxo.
The researchers suggest several factors that may influence the vulnerability of myxoma-surviving rabbits, and also conclude that factors influencing disease transmission may limit the impact of RHDV, rather than disease virulence.
For more information, read the paper by Wells et al, in the Journal of Animal Ecology or download here.
Estimated effects of disease on rabbit survival.